tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52976569466426987292024-03-27T17:04:55.493-07:00Not BeforeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03514373576085534439noreply@blogger.comBlogger597125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297656946642698729.post-31851481364576753192024-03-27T17:04:00.001-07:002024-03-27T17:04:24.056-07:00My twelfth Lent blog - Words from the Cross <img id="id_b0ce_da66_36f3_ca3c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1tK8w6yUkHEv8gNNK__iwvwcdNQ8Ap3iW" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br> <div><font face="Arial">The Wednesday of Holy Week has had two services in it for me plus a meeting with my colleague and a pastoral visit. </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">This afternoon Rev Karen and I were at Boroughbridge Manor, always a joy, where we did the whole of Holy Week in half a hour with three readings and four hymns and some prayers. Then tonight I did a reverse Tenebrae at Boroughbridge Methodist. Usually you extinguish candles as you reflect on our abandonment of Jesus, but tonight I wrote a service where we lit a candle after each last word of Jesus from the cross which are about sticking with us despite ourselves. And they are about triumph out of suffering. Seven candles were lit and then an eighth reflecting on our task to be light as the world is dark enough.</font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">I shared the writing of two theologians tonight who I find helpful reflecting on the purpose of a Holy Week pilgrimage in 2024. Nadia Bolz Weber warns us about skipping the cross. </font></div><div><span style="color: rgb(64, 64, 64); font-size: 14.5pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Arial">“ I <span style="color: rgb(64, 64, 64); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">would contend that through the cross we know that God </span><em style="color: rgb(64, 64, 64); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">isn’t</em><span style="color: rgb(64, 64, 64); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> standing smugly at a distance but that God's abundant grace is hiding in, with, and under all the brokenness in the world around us. </span></font><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">God is present with us in all of it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">And while the suffering and death of Jesus Christ on the cross is not </span><em style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">about </em><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">you. It is certainly FOR you.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">In fact, God is so </span><em style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">for</em><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> you that there is no place God will not go to be </span><em style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">with</em><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> you. Nothing separates you from the love of God in Jesus….not insults, not betrayal, not suffering, and as we will see at Easter – not even death itself. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">So don’t go from glory to glory and skip the cross, because it is there that you will find a self-emptying God who pursues you and saves you with relentless, terrifying love and who ultimately will enter the grave and the very stench of death in order to say </span><em style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">even here, even here I will not be without you</em><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">.”</span></div><div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><p style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; line-height: 19.2pt;"><font color="#404040" face="Arial"><span style="caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64);">We reflected tonight on this passage:</span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: medium; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 38, 42);">“And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus. And there followed him a great multitude of the people, and of women who bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turning to them said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. And when they came to the place which is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on the right and one on the left. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: medium; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: normal;"><img id="id_8fb1_5470_b4c0_1093" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1K7F0rpXS_sM8LBm5QLvJD4AvdIif3eJl" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 38, 42);"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: normal;"><font color="#22262a" face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 38, 42);">How do we live the theology of the cross? </span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: normal;"><font color="#22262a" face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 38, 42);">Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote this:</span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: medium; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 38, 42);">“If you’ve ever really forgiven somebody, forgiven some real wrong, all forgiveness is suffering. If you say I forgave and I didn’t suffer, it wasn’t’ really that serious a wrong. But if you have ever really, truly been wronged, and you have forgiven it, then you have suffered. Because all forgiveness is a form of suffering. If someone has wronged you deeply, there is an indelible sense of debt, an injustice, a feeling you can’t just shrug off. And once you sense this deep injustice, this debt, there are only two things you can do. One is you can make the perpetrator pay—you can find ways to make the perpetrator suffer and pay down the debt, or Two you can forgive.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: normal;"><font color="#22262a" face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 38, 42);">Is that the point of Good Friday? In a world that doesn’t forgive, criticises, is never wrong, lashes out, doesn’t care and lords it over those it thinks it can intimidate is forgiveness and grace and hope the way we should live? Just asking! </span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: medium; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 38, 42);">O Come and Mourn with me Awhile</span></i><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 38, 42);">, a poem by Frederick William Faber in </span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 38, 42);">1849:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: medium; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 38, 42);">“O come and mourn with me awhile; O come ye to the Saviours side;<br>O come, together let us mourn;<br>Jesus, our Love, is crucified.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: medium; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 38, 42);">Have we no tears to shed for him,<br>while soldiers scoff and foes deride?<br>Ah! look how patiently he hangs;<br>Jesus, our Love, is crucified.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: medium; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 38, 42);">How fast his hands and feet are nailed;<br>his blessed tongue with thirst is tied,<br>his failing eyes are blind with blood:<br>Jesus, our Love, is crucified.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: medium; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 38, 42);">His mother cannot reach his face;<br>she stands in helplessness beside;<br>her heart is martyred with her Son's:<br>Jesus, our Love, is Crucified.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: medium; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 38, 42);">Seven times seven he spoke, seven words of love;<br>and all three hours his silence cried<br>for mercy on the souls of men;<br>Jesus, our Love, is crucified.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: medium; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 38, 42);">O break, O break, hard heart of mine!<br>Thy weak self-love and guilty pride<br>his Pilate and his Judas were:<br>Jesus, our Love, is crucified.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: medium; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 38, 42);">A broken heart, a fount of tears,<br>ask, and they will not be denied;<br>a broken heart love's cradle is:<br>Jesus, our Love, is crucified.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: medium; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 38, 42);">O love of God! O sin of man!<br>In this dread act your strength is tried;<br>and victory remains with love;<br>for he, our Love, is crucified.”<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><img id="id_8ae9_8e33_7177_3872" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/11JE1GoO0xVRXnHvpraA4pA_Hb-lbeyJA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03514373576085534439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297656946642698729.post-10535571355878807652024-03-26T10:35:00.001-07:002024-03-26T10:36:05.315-07:00My eleventh Lent blog - Jesus wept <div><img id="id_eabf_be3a_8ab5_c1e9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1oPf-uqi-gLoJd_UjTKu1KUurxdpq-YRY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><p class="s17" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 26px; line-height: 1.2;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">God weeps</span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">at love withheld,</span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">at strength misused,</span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">at children's innocence abused,</span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">and till we change the way we love,</span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">God weeps.</span></span></font></p><p class="s17" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 26px; line-height: 1.2;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">God bleeds</span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">at anger's fist,</span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">at trust betrayed,</span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">at women battered and afraid,</span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">and till we change the way we win,</span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">God bleeds.</span></span></font></p><p class="s17" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 26px; line-height: 1.2;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">God cries</span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">at hungry mouths,</span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">at running sores,</span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">at creatures dying without cause,</span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">and till we change the way we care,</span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">God cries.</span></span></font></p><p class="s17" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 26px; line-height: 1.2;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">God waits</span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">for stones to melt,</span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">for peace to seed,</span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">for hearts to hold each other's need,</span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">and till we understand the Christ,</span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">God waits.</span></span></font></p><p class="s19" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.92;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">In this Holy Week we remember w</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">e </span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">worship a God that is not unfamiliar with darkness:</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> </span></span></font></p><p class="s19" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.92;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">A God who comes close to those who mourn.</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> </span></span></font></p><p class="s19" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.92;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">A God who comes close to those who stand outside of tombs.</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> </span></span></font></p><p class="s19" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.92;"><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">Remember Mary Magdalene. </font></span></span></p><p class="s19" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.92;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Luke’s Gospel tells us that Jesus had freed Mary Magdalen</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">e</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> from demons and evil spirits. Which is why–</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> </span></span><span class="s20" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-style: italic;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">while it was still dark</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">, when Mary Magdalen</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">e</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> stood weeping outside his tomb, looked in, saw angels and was asked, Woman, why are you weeping</span></span><span class="s20" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-style: italic;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">,</span></span></font></p><p class="s19" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.92;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s21" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">I</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> wonder if maybe she was crying because to Jesus she wasn’t “that crazy lady” like she was to everyone else. To him, she was just Mary and when Jesus said her name, “Mary” . . . it felt like a complete sentence. And now she wondered who would ever see her as whole, who would ever call her by her real name.</span></span></font></p><p class="s19" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.92;"><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">I think she was crying because having felt divine love in the presence of Jesus she knew couldn't go back to living without it. So she cried saying: </font></span></span></p><p class="s19" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.92;"><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">They’ve taken him away and I do not know where he is– </font></span></span></p><p class="s19" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.92;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">they’ve taken</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> </span></span><span class="s20" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-style: italic;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">love</span></span><span class="s20" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-style: italic;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> </span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">away and I do not know where it is – </span></span></font></p><p class="s19" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.92;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">they’ve taken</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> </span></span><span class="s20" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-style: italic;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">kindness</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> </span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">away and I do not know where it is– </span></span></font></p><p class="s19" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.92;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">they've taken</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> </span></span><span class="s20" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-style: italic;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">my own wholeness</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> </span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">away and I do not know where it is.</span></span></font></p><p class="s19" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.92;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">And so </span></span><span class="s20" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-style: italic;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">while it was still dark</span></span><span class="s20" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-style: italic;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> </span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">she went to his tomb thinking maybe the tomb was the end of the story. </span></span></font></p><p class="s19" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.92;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span></font></p><p class="s17" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 26px; line-height: 1.2;"><img id="id_1d62_5bc7_b221_a658" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1-OFol9vj4c3W1HHCs86VUaGNCfk9758I" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4"><span class="s18" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">As we contemplate Jesus </span></span><span class="s18" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">crying</span></span><span class="s18" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> over Jerusalem, we </span></span><span class="s18" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">acknowledge weeping</span></span><span class="s18" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> and crying</span></span><span class="s18" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> </span></span><span class="s18" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">as part of life</span></span><span class="s18" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">, the tears of </span></span><span class="s18" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">things:</span></span><span class="s18" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> tears of frustration, tears of lament, and for so many who have been cruelly bereaved, tears of grief. </span></span></font></p><p class="s22" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 11px; line-height: 1.2;"><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">It’s hard to see through tears, but sometimes its the only way to see. Tears may be the turning point, the springs of renewal, and to know you have been wept for is to know that you are loved. ‘Jesus Wept’ is the shortest, sharpest, and most moving sentence in Scripture.</font></span></span></p><p class="s22" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 11px; line-height: 1.2;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">I have a God who weeps</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> and </span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">cries</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> for me, weeps with me</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">. And understand</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">s me. </span></span></font></p><p class="s22" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 11px; line-height: 1.2;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Malcolm </span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Guite</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> offers us this poem:</span></span></font></p><p class="s22" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 11px; line-height: 1.2;"><span class="s23" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">Jesus comes near and he beholds the city</font></span></span></p><p class="s22" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 11px; line-height: 1.2;"><span class="s23" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">And looks on us with tears in his eyes,</font></span></span></p><p class="s22" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 11px; line-height: 1.2;"><span class="s23" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">And wells of mercy, streams of love and pity</font></span></span></p><p class="s22" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 11px; line-height: 1.2;"><span class="s23" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">Flow from the fountain whence all things arise.</font></span></span></p><p class="s22" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 11px; line-height: 1.2;"><span class="s23" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">He loved us into life and longs to gather</font></span></span></p><p class="s22" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 11px; line-height: 1.2;"><span class="s23" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">And meet with his beloved face to face</font></span></span></p><p class="s22" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 11px; line-height: 1.2;"><span class="s23" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">How often has he called, a careful mother,</font></span></span></p><p class="s22" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 11px; line-height: 1.2;"><span class="s23" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">And wept for our refusals of his grace,</font></span></span></p><p class="s22" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 11px; line-height: 1.2;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></span></p><p class="s22" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 11px; line-height: 1.2;"><span class="s23" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">Wept for a world that, weary with its weeping,</font></span></span></p><p class="s22" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 11px; line-height: 1.2;"><span class="s23" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">Benumbed and stumbling, turns the other way,</font></span></span></p><p class="s22" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 11px; line-height: 1.2;"><span class="s23" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">Fatigued compassion is already sleeping</font></span></span></p><p class="s22" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 11px; line-height: 1.2;"><span class="s23" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">Whilst her worst nightmares stalk the light of day.</font></span></span></p><p class="s22" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 11px; line-height: 1.2;"><span class="s23" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">But we might waken yet, and face those fears,</font></span></span></p><p class="s22" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 11px; line-height: 1.2;"><span class="s23" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">If we could see ourselves through Jesus’ tears.</font></span></span></p><p class="s24" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.2;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Apparently</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> on</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> opening ancient tombs in Palestine, many a tear-bottle has been found, which was supposed to be a repository for the tears of the </span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">mourners and</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> was then placed in the tomb beside the one who was laid there. In many cases this may have been but a mere mockery of woe — but our heavenly Father does gather all the tears of His redeemed children. "You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in Your bottle. You have recorded each one in Your book!" Psalm 56:8</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> </span></span></font></p><p class="s24" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.2;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span></font></p><p class="s24" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.2;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Not one tear is lost. Not one sorrow is unheeded. Not one grief is left </span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">unbefriended</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">.</span></span></font></p><p class="s24" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.2;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span></font></p><p class="s22" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 11px; line-height: 1.2;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> </span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Paul tells us in Gethsemane, that </span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Jesus “</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto Him who was able to save Him from death — and was heard in that He feared."</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> Jesus gets our sadness.</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Remember Ken Dodd. </span></span></font></p><p class="s22" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 11px; line-height: 1.2;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">My late friend Richard and I when I lived near Worthing used to go and see Ken Dodd every year he came to the pavilion on the sea front. It was the same show every year and he kept you there until ten to one in the morning. </span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Remember his song:</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"></span></span></font></p><p class="s22" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 11px; line-height: 1.2;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Tears have been my only consolation</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">But tears can't mend a broken heart I must confess</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Let's forgive and forget</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Turn our tears of regret</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Once more to tears of happiness</span></span></font></p><p class="s22" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 11px; line-height: 1.2;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">When </span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Jesus entered the city with tears rolling down His cheeks, He said, “This is supposed to be the holy city, the city set on a hill, the city of peace, Jerusalem.”</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> </span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">The world is so far away from the divine will and that’s upsetting. </span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">But Jesus gets it. He gets our times of grief and not knowing where to turn when life is so awful we can’t go on. </span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">But do you know what? At the end of this week tears will become laughter. </span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">That’s the promise of Easter. Jesus doesn’t dodge the emotions we have when life is tough but he </span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">promises transformation. Life is hard today and our task pastorally </span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">is to weep with those who weep and wait for God</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">to do something… but this week I’m glad to have a Jesus who bursts into tears…</span></span></font></p><p class="s22" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 11px; line-height: 1.2;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Tears of Jesus! while I ponder,</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Blessed comfort let me reap:</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">"That same Jesus" lives yonder,</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Who on earth was used to weep.</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Though His brow the rainbow wears,</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Yet my thorny crown He shares,</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Yet that loving heart divine</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Throbs responsively to mine;</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Not a struggling sigh can rise,</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">But 'tis echoed in the skies.</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Blessed Jesus, in Thy sorrow</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Friends and kindred passed You by;</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">You alone could never borrow</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">The support of sympathy.</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">When Your human heart was bursting,</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">When Your parched lip was thirsting,</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">When encompassed by the foe,</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Mocking at Your bitter woe,</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">You, who had a heart for all,</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Drank alone Your cup of gall.</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span></font></p><p class="s22" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 11px; line-height: 1.2;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Now in glory, where You dwell,</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">All unknown is sorrow's look;</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Yet Your people's tears You count,</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">"Are they not within Your book?"</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">While my "night of weeping" lasts,</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Before the morn its brightness casts,</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">My blessed portion may it be,</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">That You weep, Lord, with me;</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">And one day, with heart and voice,</span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">In Your joy, may I rejoice!</span></span></font></p><p class="s22" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 11px; line-height: 1.2;"><img id="id_cb97_6193_6d94_70ef" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1Nbqz7__HUrkJE_kuF_z7CBFTIvNxfluc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span></font></p><p class="s14" style="margin: 0px -12px; line-height: 2.04;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></span></p><p class="s14" style="margin: 0px -12px; line-height: 2.04;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></span></p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03514373576085534439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297656946642698729.post-68516750214254615392024-03-24T16:27:00.001-07:002024-03-24T18:08:55.281-07:00My tenth Lent blog - Palm Sunday <div><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><img id="id_2914_24a2_bdf6_550b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1z4D_CITi0xFw-noZjajWSlm8Ac59511i" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br></font></span></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></span></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">I went out looking for a children’s book telling the Easter story </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">on Friday afternoon as I was doing </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">the all age </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> thing with Lego at Bedale this afternoon. I went into the bookshop. </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">They know me in there. I </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">said,</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">“you’ve got books on chickens and bunnies and spring, you’ve not got one on the Easter story.” </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">To which </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">they said “um, that was rather an oversight on our part.” </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">It’s so easy to pretend this Holy Week is just </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">light and fluffy. We wave palm branches today, and we </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">see an empty tomb and shout he is risen next Sunday.</span></span></font></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">We choose to ignore what comes in between and for so many people </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">this week </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">it is a festival of spring. Better weather is coming. We put the clocks forward next Sunday morning. </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"></span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">It’s also easy to make Palm Sunday a happy and joyful spectacle but for me it’s about Jesus riding into trouble </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">and danger. Why? Because he confronts the world with a radical new way </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">he meets opposition.</span></span></font></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></span></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">How have you spent Palm Sunday? I began with an open air act of witness in Ripon led by the cathedral but with me reading the Gospel, then my service at Allhallowgate then leading some children in Bedale using Lego to tell the story of Holy Week and then listening to Olivet to Calvary sung by the cathedral choir. I love Olivet to Calvary! Just as I am makes me very emotional.</font></span></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></span></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><img id="id_3879_f9b_84ed_1cf8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1S5i7Nt2Wu67wbpnNAtKq9fXaoMakr6L4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br></span><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s5" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">On Palm Sunday we have this procession that has this radical Jesus riding the colt of a donkey displaying the symbols that the prophet Zechariah had said a king would enter into Zion who would banish war from the land! Those that rallied around this procession would have thrilled to the signs that this may be the king who would lead them to reclaim their land and banish the occupying Romans. </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">But days later their hopes are </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">dashed,</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> and this king is tried for sedition and crucified. All is surely lost. </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Certainly,</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> even the most faithful followers will cower behind closed doors fearing punishment and grieving their teacher and hoped for Messiah’s death.</span></span></font></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span class="s5" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></span></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span class="s5" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><img id="id_10ee_c6_6666_f402" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1RmLvhN9ZwgLN30UCeU_4vZlZ1YwuqUP_" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br></font></span></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></span></p><p class="s10" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s5" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">No wonder the disciples didn’t want to go to Jerusalem. It was as much a hotbed then as it is today. </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">It seems to me Palm Sunday is all about </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">choosing.</span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> It is the </span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">choice we are called to make</span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> to join the dream of a world not yet fully here. It is the choice to seek the glimpse of the divine in the everyday and to adore, protect, nurture and share. It is the choice to choose life and the ways that make for life for everyone not simply for the few. It is the choice to be grateful to be last and encourage those who have less to go before us. </span></span></font><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);">It is to choose that we are emptied out and ready for God’s way.</span></p><p class="s10" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span class="s8" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></span></span></p><p class="s10" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span class="s8" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">Remember the political context:</font></span></span></p><p class="s10" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247); color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">Some in Israel wanted to rebel against Rome, and they had, and they would do so again in the future. Others preferred to keep their heads down and try to live their lives as peacefully as possible. And most people were somewhere in between the extremes. </font></span></span></p><p class="s10" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247); color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">They weren’t satisfied with the way things were going at all, but they also weren’t about to take up arms against the greatest military power in the world at the time.</span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247); color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"></span></span></font></p><p class="s10" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></p><p class="s10" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><img id="id_be80_cb52_c0d9_12a5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1S2-Kd_cJt2__JLFH2PkVQ4vUkjlb6k8P" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br></font></p><p class="s10" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></span></p><p class="s10" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247); color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">I like this from a sermon I read this week: </font></span></span></p><p class="s12" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">We still look for the one who will save the people. We put our hopes in all kinds of people, things, and programs. We yearn for the thing that will take us from difficulty to freedom, from sickness to health, and from death to life.</span></span></font></p><p class="s12" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">God, save the people. </font></span></span></p><p class="s12" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">Today, let us join the world in running after Jesus. Let us grip the palms in our hands and imagine what it must have been like to be there, to see him, to invest our tired hope in him.</font></span></span></p><p class="s12" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Let </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">us remember that we are not the first to fear, the first to suffer, the first to want better things for ourselves and our families. We are not the first to despair or the first to offer our tired hope up to the one who might save us.</span></span></font></p><p class="s12" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">Beloved, the story of Jesus is our story, and here, we get to live through it again together. Let us, just this once, forget that we know the ending. </font></span></span></p><p class="s12" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Let us invest our tired hope in the one who rides on a donkey. Let us dare to imagine that he might be the one to take us from death into life.</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">”</span></span></font></p><p class="s12" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><br></span></span></font></p><p class="s10" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s8" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">What if Jesus had avoided Jerusalem and a cross? Would we be here today? </span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">What if Jesus wanted it easy?</span></span></font></p><p class="s10" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></span></p><p class="s10" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s8" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">I love this meditation sent to me:</span></span> </font></p><p class="s10" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><img id="id_8b7b_feaa_e74c_ed14" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1YhPyyaZduHqXEyiLs75W4XV-Dp1bA8WU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br></font></p><p class="s12" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">From today, either individually or together, we will journey</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> to the upper room, where fears will be </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">shared,</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> and feet will be </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">washed,</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">and a meal will be broken and poured for us.</span></span></font></p><p class="s12" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">And then, as it always does, on Good Friday the worst will happen.</font></span></span></p><p class="s12" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">Hope is crushed. Love is laid quiet.</font></span></span></p><p class="s12" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Friends</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">, forget for a moment that you know the ending. When love is laid quiet in our own lives, we allow ourselves to mourn that the worst has happened.</span></span></font></p><p class="s12" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">From the tomb, who knows where love and hope could take us?</font></span></span></p><p class="s12" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">God, save the people. </font></span></span></p><p class="s12" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></span></span></p><p class="s12" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">Love comes to us today riding on a donkey. Let us greet him with palms and songs. And then let us once again journey with him from death into life.</font></span></span></p><p class="s12" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></span></span></p><p class="s12" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">May we encounter the holy this week, and may we find our tired hope refreshed.</font></span></span></p><p class="s12" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></span></span></p><p class="s12" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Just having bunnies and chickens and spring – an oversight on our part – or a deliberate </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">try to get out of the hard journey we often have to take? </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"></span></span></font></p><p class="s12" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><br></span></span></font></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"></span></font></span></p><p class="s10" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s8" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">To choose the Kingdom over the Empire is to choose the Way of the cross and the one who died on a cross. It is a demanding way. It is also the way of enjoying eating, drinking and dancing with those who are on the outskirts of the city. It is also the way of foolish wisdom and deep peace more than security and certainty. It is the way of love over hate, hope over fear, and life over death.</span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Jesus enters the city and asks us what will you choose? Stick with me or turn on me?</span></span></font></p></div><div><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s5" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Loving God,</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><br></span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">you rode a donkey and came in peace,</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><br></span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">humbled yourself and gave yourself for us.</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><br></span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">We confess our lack of humility.</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><br></span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">As you entered Jerusalem,</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><br></span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">the crowds shouted, “Hosanna: Save us now!”</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><br></span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">On Good Friday they shouted, “Crucify!”</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><br></span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">We confess our praise is often empty.</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><br></span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">We sing Hosanna but cry Crucify.</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><br></span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">As the crowd laid their palms in front of you</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><br></span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">you took the way of God: you took no glory for yourself.</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><br></span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">We confess that we want to be accepted and take the easy way.</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><br></span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">We do not stay true to your will.</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><br></span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Forgive us, Lord, and help us to follow in the way of obedience. Amen.</span></span></font></p><p class="s18" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.2; font-size: 18px;"><br></p><p class="s18" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.2; font-size: 18px;"><img id="id_2d4a_b661_19fc_acfc" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1vVc8fmoFcM5XrBD0KhUQ3Ce7hFl7JRal" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03514373576085534439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297656946642698729.post-73616201297021990392024-03-17T13:20:00.001-07:002024-03-17T13:20:22.324-07:00My ninth Lent blog - journeying with a church preparing to cease to meet <div><br></div><div><img id="id_b698_888b_7d65_b7c8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1_bzZSU9Ngx3KiDmpxM0bCWHxphWhD7qz" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><p style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt;"><font face="Al Nile" style="font-size: 19px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.15pt;">Today I’ve been privileged to lead worship at West Tanfield church which is preparing to cease to meet in a couple of months time. This was my sermon which I wanted to be gently pastoral. The senior steward told me after the service was “divinely inspired” We also had some tears. Some folk have been worshipping at Tanfield all their lives…</span></font></p><p style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt;"><font face="Al Nile" style="font-size: 19px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.15pt;">I was reading a sermon last night by the Dean of Winchester Cathedral about setting off on a journey. She writes “</span>When I’m setting off on a walk, I notice that I have a habit of patting my pockets, or going through them, checking I have what I need: keys, tissue, money, phone, glasses, gloves, suncream – whatever I’ll need for the journey. Perhaps this rings a bell with you.”<o:p></o:p></font></p><p style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt;"><font face="Al Nile" style="font-size: 19px;">Today is the fifth Sunday of Lent. We have set out together on the journey from Ash Wednesday, to the cross and beyond, in order to grow in faith, in love for God, in compassion for other people, and deeper knowledge of ourselves. Both the journey and the destination will bring us great blessings, if we travel in God’s way.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt;"><font face="Al Nile" style="font-size: 19px;">Sister Joan Chittister, a Benedictine Nun from America says that for this journey we need two pockets, each will carry a message of truth about our identity. In one pocket there is the message, “I am dust and ashes’ (simply mortal, fallible, sometimes helpless, always human). <o:p></o:p></font></p><p style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt;"><font face="Al Nile" style="font-size: 19px;">And in the other, ‘For me, the universe was made’ (I am the precious child of God, the creator of planets, stars, moons and galaxies). With these two truths we journey through Lent knowing both our great worth to God, and our utter need of God.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><font face="Al Nile" style="font-size: 19px;"><span style="line-height: 24.533335px; letter-spacing: 0.15pt;">How is it to journey spiritually? Let’s consider three sorts of journey.</span><span style="line-height: 24.533335px; letter-spacing: 0.15pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><font face="Al Nile" style="font-size: 19px;"><span style="line-height: 24.533335px; letter-spacing: 0.15pt;">First, a journey into the unknown. </span><span style="line-height: 24.533335px; letter-spacing: 0.15pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><font face="Al Nile" style="font-size: 19px;">In Genesis chapter 12, we have a man whose life was going nowhere until God called him. His name was Abraham. Before the call of God, he lived a comfortable life with his family in Haran, getting on with the everyday circle of activities but with no clear goal in life. If things had carried on like this, we would have never heard of Abraham and the course of Jewish and Christian history would have been very different. But God spoke to Abraham, and he obeyed. By faith he set out for the promised land, living in tents as he travelled following God’s directions.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm;"><font face="Al Nile" style="font-size: 19px;">After Abraham left Haran he never went back. He left his property, his comforts, most of his household possessions, and even some members of his family. He didn’t think of the old life he had left behind but reached forward eagerly to his new life and the promised land ahead of him. There was no turning back. Abraham began his journey of faith at 75. Whatever our age it is never too late to begin the journey of faith, to allow God to take us in a new direction. I tell most of my churches in this Circuit those aged 75 are my youngsters! <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: normal;"><font face="Al Nile" style="font-size: 19px;"> What do we learn from Abraham? Well, I like Wesley’s notes on him. Sarah conceived - Sarah by faith, received strength to conceive. God, therefore, by promise, gave that strength. Abraham was old, and Sarah old, and both as good as dead, and then the word of God took place. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: normal;"><font face="Al Nile" style="font-size: 19px;">He circumcised his son - The covenant being established with him; the seal of the covenant was administered to him. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: normal;"><font face="Al Nile" style="font-size: 19px;">And Sarah said, God has made me to laugh - He hath given me both cause to rejoice, and a heart to rejoice. And it adds to the comfort of any mercy to have our friends rejoice with us in it, they that hear will laugh with me - Others will rejoice in this instance of God's power and goodness and be encouraged to trust in him.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: normal;"><font face="Al Nile" style="font-size: 19px;">So, friends, as children of Abraham whatever circumstance we find we journey in, let’s journey in faith and expectation. Abraham believed God and it counted unto him as righteousness. So may it be for us. I’m going to make three comments to you the good people called Methodist at West Tanfield as you prepare to let go of this building after many faithful years of service. The first is this. God is calling you to leave what you have known and make a journey. That journey isn’t clear for some of you today but like Abraham was told he would be a blessing and the father of many nations, and he thought well that’s not going to happen, my wife is barren, the land you’ve promised me is occupied and there’s a famine there. But you know God makes a way out of no way and we are promised a future and we need to trust in the invitation to travel even if the road ahead is scary and we don’t know what’s ahead on it. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; margin: 0cm; line-height: normal;"><font face="Al Nile" style="font-size: 19px;">I do not know what lies ahead,<br>the way I cannot see;<br>yet one stands near to be my guide;<br>he’ll show the way to me.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; margin: 0cm; line-height: normal;"><font face="Al Nile" style="font-size: 19px;">I know who holds the future,<br>and he’ll guide me with his hand.<br>With God things don’t just happen;<br>everything by him is planned.<br>So as I face tomorrow<br>with its problems large and small,<br>I’ll trust the God of miracles, give to him my all.</font></p></div></div></div></blockquote><img id="id_db9_c42d_caf5_2fc9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1Ai2U3cvi-S7YznQkTUbmFK6IKgySFPHb" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; margin: 0cm; line-height: normal;"><font face="Al Nile" style="font-size: 19px;">Then there’s the journey we take because where we are isn’t working. I have a card somewhere at home which has sheep out in the rain. And it says “lost? I’m not lost. I know exactly where I am. I’m right here!” For many around the world today “here” isn’t a good place to be. I think particularly of those who are caught up in the hell of war zones. To try and preserve life they have no choice but to flee on a journey to somewhere safe. Many though don’t get to that safety. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; margin: 0cm; line-height: normal;"><font face="Al Nile" style="font-size: 19px;"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; margin: 0cm; line-height: normal;"><font face="Al Nile" style="font-size: 19px;">Then there are those moments we have in our life where “here” for us is so tough all we want to do is escape from it and go somewhere else and have our problems disappear. Maybe we are stuck in a rut or have problems too great to bear or we’ve made huge mistakes, and we want to be lifted out of guilt into forgiveness. Psalm 51 is a good example of a journey we want to take when “here” isn’t working. King David who wrote the Psalm had been a very naughty boy. He’d sent a man into battle to hopefully kill him so he could have his way with his wife. He was called to account by the prophet Nathan. And we have maybe the <span style="color: rgb(25, 25, 25);">most honest prayer of contrition in the whole of Scripture: “create in me a clean heart O God and put a new and right spirit within me.” <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; margin: 0cm; line-height: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(25, 25, 25); font-size: 19px;"><font face="Al Nile"> </font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; margin: 0cm; line-height: normal;"><font face="Al Nile" style="font-size: 19px;"><span style="color: rgb(25, 25, 25); background: white;">The Psalm speaks of David acknowledging his sin and his guilt, he makes no excuses. He worships God who David knows is the only way to receive full forgiveness, God is the only one who can truly put things right. In an attitude of repentance, David asks God to create in him a pure heart. The Hebrew word for create in this context is<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color: rgb(25, 25, 25); border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0cm;">bara</span><span style="color: rgb(25, 25, 25); background: white;"> and is only ever applied to God. It is the same verb as used in Genesis 1 to describe the Creation of the universe and all things. Only God can do this sort of creating. Our God is a gracious and is into new beginnings. Where it isn’t working or the joy has gone or we are exhausted or we’ve made a mess of something it’s okay to say to God we can’t do this anymore, show us a new way. Give us life again. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; margin: 0cm; line-height: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(25, 25, 25); background: white; font-size: 19px;"><font face="Al Nile">For you, you’ve made the brave decision to cease to meet here. That wasn’t an easy decision but maybe it’s the right one. It doesn’t mean you’ve failed; it means that God might give you the energy to do something new. <o:p></o:p></font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; margin: 0cm; line-height: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(25, 25, 25); background: white; font-size: 19px;"><o:p><font face="Al Nile"> </font></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; margin: 0cm; line-height: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(25, 25, 25); background: white; font-size: 19px;"><font face="Al Nile">I’ve only had two churches ask to cease to meet in my 27 years of ministry. Ashington in West Sussex was riddled with damp and the two stewards talked so much about what we might do they told me they couldn’t do church there anymore. We ceased to meet and formed a house group on a <span dir="ltr">Thursday evening</span> in the village. It had more come to it then ever came to the chapel and is still going strong today some 14 years later. <o:p></o:p></font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; margin: 0cm; line-height: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(25, 25, 25); background: white; font-size: 19px;"><o:p><font face="Al Nile"> </font></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; margin: 0cm; line-height: normal;"><font face="Al Nile" style="font-size: 19px;"><span style="color: rgb(25, 25, 25); background: white;">Then there’s Kirkby chapel, also riddled with damp that was beyond us. We left the building behind, are a happy little congregation once a month in the parish church and on other Sundays we’ve dispersed to Grewelthorpe and Harrogate Road and Dallowgill and we meet for fellowship in the mechanics institute every other month. We are a lighter people because our worries have gone. I know it is sad to let this place which has been so special to you and those before you go, but my prayer is you will find after a period of mourning and transition a new spirit. The Psalm has this verse in it: “</span><span class="text"><span style="color: rgb(25, 25, 25);">Restore to me the joy of your salvation</span></span><span style="color: rgb(25, 25, 25);"> <span class="text">and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” That’s my prayer for you over the next few months.</span></span></font></p></div></div></div></blockquote><img id="id_41dd_dbef_3ba8_fd23" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1F5ue009Irh0_aS_bfQv-Ws6HnW8K6B4Z" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><blockquote type="cite" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(25, 25, 25); font-size: 19px;"><font face="Al Nile">Journeying into the unknown, journeying when it isn’t working, then a journey that is irresistible. Have you ever said to yourself “I have to make that journey because it is so exciting.” You spend ages preparing for the journey and you count down the time until you can go. Then on the journey you shout, “are we nearly there?” <o:p></o:p></font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><font face="Al Nile" style="font-size: 19px;"><span style="line-height: 24.533335px; letter-spacing: 0.15pt;">I think Nicodemus found Jesus irresistible. He was a Jewish leader. He came to see Jesus at night. </span><span style="line-height: 24.533335px; letter-spacing: 0.15pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><font face="Al Nile" style="font-size: 19px;"><span style="line-height: 24.533335px; letter-spacing: 0.15pt;">He had lots of questions. Jesus tries to tell him the only way he will find meaning in life was to be born again. That’s the whole point of Christianity. God has created us to be his children, and we are on a journey towards a new creation. There is a constant new beginning available for us. As I said at the beginning, this is the fifth Sunday of Lent, Holy Week <span dir="ltr">begins next Sunday</span>. </span><span style="line-height: 24.533335px; letter-spacing: 0.15pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><font face="Al Nile" style="font-size: 19px;"><span style="line-height: 24.533335px; letter-spacing: 0.15pt;">Everyone thought Jesus’ journey was over at the cross. But the journey ends with new and unexpected new life and joy. </span><span style="line-height: 24.533335px; letter-spacing: 0.15pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><font face="Al Nile" style="font-size: 19px;"><span style="line-height: 24.533335px; color: rgb(25, 25, 25); background: white;">Every day we can have a fresh start. Without going on an irresistible journey to Jesus we cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. The apostle Paul writes,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="line-height: 24.533335px; color: rgb(25, 25, 25);">“if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="line-height: 24.533335px; color: rgb(25, 25, 25); background: white;"> It’s exciting, and God has so much more to show us! Aren’t you excited by that today? Like Nicodemus we need to be brave enough to check out the possibilities. West Tanfield friends my third thing I want to say to you is this - keep the faith, look to God, remember he isn’t finished with you. You are the church wherever you go.<o:p></o:p></span></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><font face="Al Nile" style="font-size: 19px;"><span style="line-height: 24.533335px; background: white;">A journey is defined ‘<span class="apple-converted-space">as</span></span><span style="line-height: 24.533335px;"> the act of travelling from one place to another.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="line-height: 24.533335px; background: white;"> </span></span><span style="line-height: 24.533335px; background: white;">’ It is seen as a literal geographical movement from one location to another. The Dean in her sermon had a list of what she needed to take on a journey. Friends, we need a willingness to go. God is working his purpose out. Let’s go with him and see where he leads. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><font face="Al Nile" style="font-size: 19px;"><span style="line-height: 24.533335px; background: white;">Remember this verse which I leave you with: </span><span style="line-height: 24.533335px; background: white;">And whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: “This is the way. Walk in it.”</span></font></p></div></div></div></blockquote><img id="id_b8f9_3f5a_2dc4_5f9d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1F1NNIto2daXH4vrRWj2xtYGgCbjnOUkr" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03514373576085534439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297656946642698729.post-66099920604337581732024-03-10T10:37:00.001-07:002024-03-10T13:45:45.498-07:00My eighth Lent blog - how to preach Mothering Sunday <div><br></div><div><img id="id_b879_180e_30b6_4a5f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/19KPll705IIdhivsM9D8z_gLRRDDs3gQi" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br></div><div><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px; font-size: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">So we have reached mid Lent, the fourth Sunday </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">of it, a Sunday we stop and think about the nature of God </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">on our way to the cross and resurrection</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">.</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">The traditional epistle for the fourth Sunday in lent which</span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> we aren’t using today</span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> states that the heavenly Jerusalem “is the mother of us all”</span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> And of course today is </span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Mothering Sunday</span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">. </span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">It was customary in some places to visit the mother church of one's diocese or chapel on this day. In other places it was customary to visit one's mother on “Mothering Sunday.”</span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Servants were given the day off to go home and they’d take </span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">si</span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">mnel</span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> cake with them. </span></span><span class="s12" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Mothering Sunday gives an opportunity to thank God for those have shown us love, given us life and transformed our worlds, usually for the better. These </span></span><span class="s12" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">may have been </span></span><span class="s12" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">our mothers, our fathers, or other relatives and carers</span></span><span class="s12" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> or others who only we know who have nurtured</span></span><span class="s12" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> us through the years</span></span><span class="s12" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">. Our lives have been enriched and shaped by them, so we thank them and we thank God.</span></span></font></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Some </span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">services today will be </span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">quite twee that everything on earth is wonderful and every relationship is perfect. </span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">For the preacher Mothering Sunday is a difficult minefield because it is hard where to pitch it. For some people this day is very painful. </span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">We need as well as celebrating where motherly love has been good and life giving, </span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">to take time to remember </span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">those who haven’t had that in their lives and</span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> to also remember</span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> those who longed for children but couldn’t have them. So we need to be sensitive today. </span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">My thoughts today are on the nurturing love of God. Where did this sermon come into my head?</span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> At a bus stop in Pocklington after being with Sarah </span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Caddell</span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> at her final probationers committee before ordination. </span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">I want to explore nurturing love: </span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">the need to be loved, </span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">knowing we are loved and celebrating love that conquers all. </span></span></font></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">The need to be loved. </span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">We all want to be loved and valued. When we aren’t loved or feel we aren’t loved we disintegrate. </span></span></font></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">We yearn for it and call out for it. We live in a climate </span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">that </span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">yearns for love and calls out for it. We live in a climate that </span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">has almost given up because it’s so rubbish out there. </span></span></font></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">A taxi driver taking me to Pocklington from York station on Thursday – I went by taxi and came back on the bus </span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">–</span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">well he spent the entire journey telling me the country is broken mate and he gave me </span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">a passionate speech on how selfish people are today</span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">. We look after ourselves, we don’t love other people. </span></span></font></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">We live in a climate where we are overwhelmed. </font></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Calling out for love isn’t new. It’s in the Bible. </span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">We’ve been on Holy Island this week apart from a day back for Sarah’s committee. One of the joys being there is to share in evening prayer in the church. St Aidan founded a monastery on the island in 635 and since then morning and evening prayer have been said </span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">every day. Friday evening was cold and windy so there were only four of us in the church for evening prayer but in the cold I </span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">was moved by two passages about this yearning for love. The Psalm was Psalm 116. </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">The cords of death</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">entangled me,</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"></span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">the anguish of the grave came over me;</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">I was overcome by distress and sorrow.</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Then I called on the name</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">of the</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Lord</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">:</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Lord</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">, save me!”</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">The</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Lord</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">is gracious and righteous;</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">our God is full of compassion The</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Lord</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">protects the unwary;</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">when I was brought low,</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">he saved me.</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Return to your rest,</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">my soul,</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">for the</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Lord</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">has been good</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">to you.</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">” Then the Old Testament reading was Jeremiah 15. Jeremiah isn’t a happy bunny for most of his prophecy. He’s suffering because he has the weight of delivering God’s message of judgement on his shoulders.</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"></span></span></font></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"></span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Jeremiah calls on his mother. Alas, my mother, that you gave me birth,</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> a</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> man with whom the whole land strives and contends!</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">I have neither lent</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">nor borrowed,</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">yet everyone curses</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">me. The</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Lord</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">said </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">“Surely,</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> I will deliver you</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">for a good </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">purpose;</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"></span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">surely I will make your enemies plead</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">with you</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">in times of disaster and times of distress.</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">”</span></span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></font></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><br></span></font></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><img id="id_e73d_333f_1ffb_597c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1zH354HBvh_MyoOwrPPk2p8Aiv99nU0d0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><br></span></font></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></span></p><p class="s13" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Think about good motherly love.</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> Remember</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> when you hurt yourself falling over </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">mum made it better. We see screaming children in cafés. They want love to make it better. Let’s go to the strange Old Testament passage for today from Numbers. “</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Pray</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> to the Lord to take away the serpents from us,” the people say to Moses. They’re impatient and wandering in the wilderness. They are thirsty and hungry. Even if they didn’t like the life they once had in Egypt it was their life. It was familiar and they want to go back to what used to be. They’re grumbling and nothing is right. Life is difficult. This is more than just being unhappy or dissatisfied.</span></span></font></p><p class="s13" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">This is how bad it is. They complain that they have no food and then say that they detest the miserable food they don’t have! I don’t think that’s really about what going on around them, but about what’s going on within them. Their stomach may be empty but there’s venom in their hearts and in their lives. They are in a snaky place. And we’ve all been there.</font></span></span></p><p class="s13" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">“Pray to the Lord to take away the serpents from us.” How many times have we prayed that? “Just fix it God. Make it stop. Take it away. I don’t want this.”</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span></font></p><p class="s13" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">The poisonous snakes cause the people to pause and reflect. The bronze serpent gives people a physical way to repent and seek healing, a tangible way of putting things right. It has no power of its own, although it is kept as a relic and, sadly, a future generation worships it as if it is a god, and so it has to be destroyed (2 Kings 18). It is simply a focal point for the people to choose to look at it and live; a means of grace, a prompt to turn away from a previous poor choice and live God’s way once again.</font></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">The need to be loved.</font></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Then, knowing</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> we are loved.</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"></span></span></font></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">A 96 year old mother was being interviewed about her long life and how she felt about being a Mother all those years.</font></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">‘I feel just wonderful,’ was her reply. ‘For the first time since I became a Mother, I no longer have to worry about my children.’</font></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">‘How is that?’</font></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">‘They’re both in nursing homes’.”</font></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">We have a right to be cared for through all our life. I’d like to urge </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">that today is not just about mothers but everyone who cares. </span></span></font></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">I go into nursing homes and see the devotion of the staff caring for those who now need others to help them flourish. </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Knowing we are loved gives us a security and a </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">wellbeing. Knowing we are loved help us see we are worth something. </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">The Bible tells us more than anything else that God is love. </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Even when that feels mad! </span></span></font></p><p class="s13" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">Mother Julian of Norwich lived through two waves of plague, and the violence and unrest that followed. She survived a paralysing illness that nearly killed her. And yet even still, her writings are full of confident hope. She doesn’t even mention the chaos of her context; instead, she focuses on her connection to Christ.</font></span></span></p><p class="s13" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Julian is known as a voice of hope — and also as a proclaimer of the Motherhood of God. In Julian’s visions, Christ appears as “the true Mother of life and of all.” From </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">labouring</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> to bring us into the world, to feeding us with his body in the sacrament of communion, Julian notes all the ways in which Christ does the work of motherhood. And how his work makes our work possible: “The kind, loving mother who is aware and knows the need of her child protects the child most tenderly as the nature and state of motherhood wills….This nurturing of the child with all that is fair and good, our Lord does in the mothers by whom it is done.” </span></span></font></p><p class="s13" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">If Jesus is our true Mother, then he truly understands my job. Jesus knows what it is to seek keeping beloved children safe.</font></span></span></p><p class="s15" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-right: 9px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s14" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(47, 79, 79);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">As truly as God is our Father, so truly is God our </span></span><span class="s14" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(47, 79, 79);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">mother</span></span><span class="s14" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(47, 79, 79);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">, and he revealed this in everything, and especially in these sweet words where he says:</span></span><span class="s14" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(47, 79, 79);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> I </span></span><span class="s14" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(47, 79, 79);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">am he; that is to say: I am he, the power and the goodness of fatherhood.</span></span><span class="s14" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(47, 79, 79);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s14" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(47, 79, 79);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">I am he, the wisdom and the lovingness of motherhood.</span></span><span class="s14" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(47, 79, 79);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> I</span></span><span class="s14" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(47, 79, 79);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> am he, the light and grace which is all blessed love. I am he, the Trinity.</span></span></font></p><p class="s15" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-right: 9px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s14" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(47, 79, 79);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">As truly as God is our Father, so truly is God our Mother</span></span><span class="s14" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(47, 79, 79);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">.</span></span></font></p><p class="s15" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-right: 9px;"><img id="id_5f7c_4da6_e234_8407" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1Y_1TeQM6pDh9T_hOiJzuXUZYH-3KnV2s" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s14" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(47, 79, 79);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><br></span></span></font></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">Someone wise wrote this: </font></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s16" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(244, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(244, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">If mothering were only done my mothers, it would be very hard indeed to ensure that everyone received the nurturing, the protection, the love, the sacrifice, the guidance</span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(244, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(244, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">that we need to become the people we are meant to be. As a church community, we are called into a role of mothering that sometimes might need to be just as desperate, fierce, loyal, grieving etc as the mothers in the Bible. If we, as a church, truly love the community in which we are situated, just as God loves it, and if we are to be God’s holy people for God’s needy world, then we will feel the pain of the world’s suffering, and we will be willing to sacrifice something of ourselves in order to bring to birth God’s purposes for the world.</span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(244, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">”</span></span></font></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span class="s16" style="line-height: 16.799999px; background-color: rgb(244, 247, 247);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">We need to know we are loved.</font></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">Then this…</font></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">Celebrating love conquers all</font></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">In our Gospel for today, we </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">break into a night-time conversation, a private and important Q & A for the religious leader Nicodemus, who comes to talk to Jesus "by night". Nicodemus recognises Jesus as a teacher, as coming from God, but he is finding it hard, as we might ourselves, to grasp the magnitude of what Jesus is saying about "heavenly things" and why they are important for an earthly life</span></span></font></p><p class="s13" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">The text for today starts at verse 14, with John's account of Jesus referring to the passage in Numbers, and explicitly linking the "lifting up" of the Son of Man to show God's love with the lifting up of the bronze serpent before the Israelites in the wilderness as God's saving response to the people's suffering.</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> As we’ve discussed.</span></span></font></p><p class="s13" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">In </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Numbers the people look at the serpent and live, and in John, the people look up to the Son of Man, believe and have eternal life.</span></span></font></p><p class="s13" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Verse 16, one of the most well-known and most quoted verses in the Bible, tells us that "God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.".</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> Maybe that verse is the heart of the Gospel. </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Maybe today we celebrate those who have looked at the world head on and despite its hatred, they’ve offered love to us like there is no one else to love except us. Maybe in your heart today you bring people mothers, fathers, friends, carers, teachers, </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">ministers, people who’ve sacrificed their own well-being to reach out to us who’ve shown us the motherly love of God.</span></span></font></p><p class="s13" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Motherhood is an opportunity to walk in the sandals of </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Jesus.</span></span></font></p><p class="s13" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Washing the dirty feet of people who don’t recognise the</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> sacrifices you’re making; being unappreciated or disrespected by the very ones you’re serving; trying to teach those who seem uninterested in hearing the amazing truth you’re offering; feeding hungry people who cry for junk food when you have food that will truly satisfy; pouring yourself out for those you love, despite their inability to give anything in return: does this sound familiar? Jesus experienced all of this and far more</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">—</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">to an extent that you and I will never fully experience. </span></span></font></p><p class="s13" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><br></p><p class="s13" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><img id="id_a869_3c71_2ef1_27ae" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1l07NVDg36FyV7RYx3q6YjW2DsCAnlZPE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br></p><p class="s13" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Then</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> we celebrate that love conquers all. </span></span></font></p><p class="s13" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">The message of Christianity is that there is nothing that shall separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Nothing. God so loved the world </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">that he gave his only son that </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">whosoever believes</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> in him should not perish but have everlasting life.</span></span></font></p><p class="s13" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">It seems to me maybe more so than ever we live in a polarised society. </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Let me illustrate it from two </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">places I’ve reflected on </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">this</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> week while away. The </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">train I was</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> booked on </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">from Berwick upon Tweed to York on Thursday morning was cancelled. The next one was running but the one after was cancelled too. This meant </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">the one I got on was severely overcrowded. I tried to get off at York and people were pushing to get on before I could get off. Me, me and me. My seat. My right. My temper. </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">I love myself more than I love you. That’s where the world is today my friends.</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">On Tuesday afternoon we were in Glasgow and we visited the purple cat café. What do you do when on holiday? Put your own cats in a cattery and visit other cats! Well there were 34 cats in this place. All different, all with needs and quirks, all important, all cared for. </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">34 cats! Well, that’s what the motherly love of God is like. It cares for us</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">, inexhaustible, eternal and </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">unbounding</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">. It </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">remembers us like a mother at her best. It never gives up. Isn’t that worth celebrating today? </span></span></font></p><p class="s18" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Nicodemus </span></span><span class="s17" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">found a</span></span><span class="s17" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> deeper relationship </span></span><span class="s17" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">with Jesus. </span></span></font></p><p class="s18" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s17" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">In chapter seven, when others are plotting to arrest Jesus, Nicodemus speaks in his </span></span><span class="s17" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">defence</span></span><span class="s17" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">, even after several have turned against him. And in chapter 19, Nicodemus even joins Joseph of Arimathea to prepare Jesus’ body for burial after it’s taken down from the cross.</span></span></font></p><p class="s18" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s17" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">When he helped lay Jesus in the tomb that day, Nicodemus didn’t know what would happen in just two days’ time. We do.</span></span><span class="s17" style="line-height: 16.799999px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> We celebrate that love conquers all.</span></span></font></p><p class="s13" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">St Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> in the twelfth century</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">, knew much about love</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">from his mother. He likens God to a mother in his song, and speaks so tenderly</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">of that relationship of love that he can only have learned it at home.</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Jesus, he says, like a mother you gather your people to you; you are gentle with</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">us as a mother with her children.</span></span></font></p><p class="s13" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Today we celebrate God our Father and our Mother and we pray </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">his love will be seen in the world and it might be shared through us. That way, </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">we will have a very happy and blessed Mother’s Day, renewed and encouraged </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">to be his people, loved for ever. </span></span></font></p><p class="s13" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><img id="id_e723_3d6_b924_7d5a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1YAniGuSpUEbItmgCUpb-43iJlUpCdIK6" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03514373576085534439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297656946642698729.post-42485435330162965032024-03-04T14:22:00.001-08:002024-03-04T14:22:07.752-08:00My seventh Lent blog - retreating <font face="Arial"><img id="id_8fbb_f8e2_393e_8de3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1nldufgp0NCFyd5EApXM5kUgyqytAV9SC" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br></font><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 35px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial">I’ve been coming to Holy Island to stay at least twice a year since 2009. It always feels like coming home to me, a sense of peace and safety envelops me as I get on the causeway. I am away from it all. The vicar at evening prayer tonight prayed for “those communities we’ve left behind.” It’s not that I don’t care about Ripon, I just need a break from stuff. Ministry gets ever more complicated and draining if we don’t look after ourselves. </font></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 35px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial"><img id="id_b96e_9834_c00_cd7c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1Q-XzicCv37c63l_gSJObEEOk5jW-ptAj" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br>I’m fascinated by what makes people come onto this Island. It’s been a lovely sunny day all day today. People this morning were streaming onto the Island. It can get overwhelming sometimes and I can’t wait for the tide to come in and the crowds to go home. Do they feel better after being here? You hope so. </font></p><font face="Arial"><img id="id_84a6_c34e_eda3_362" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1jC2YkAafkg1e0hMl3Tv8kVoL3GOVYYK2" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br></font><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 35px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial">For me I always remember an article in the parish magazine which was on the coffee table in Cambridge House on the day I arrived for my first ever retreat on sabbatical in April 2009. It said “you did not come here to get away, you came here to go back.” We retreat, take time, in order to be energised and equipped enough to cope with everything the world throws at us.</font></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 35px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial"><img id="id_dab6_578c_edf2_8fd3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1CW_D8aBxUfRPjtv0KSbHgr2i2CM_295Q" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br>I have colleagues in ministry who tell me how long it is since they had a day off. Then they burn out! There’s nothing wrong with retreating. Indeed it is essential. Jesus took time out before big stuff. I’ll say more on that in a minute. I’ve been told in the middle of a busy day with all the demands on me to park the car in a lay-by for half an hour and sleep, or sit in a coffee shop, or go for a walk or deliberately read part of a book that is nothing to do with work on a work day. It’s about looking after our souls when our heads are about to explode. </font></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 35px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial"><img id="id_1667_b3b6_4592_a3ed" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1DyUa7EEMQxN22Izcwbw_MDIOm-Dj3wx_" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br></font></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 35px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial"> Remember Alice in Wonderland? She ran as fast as she could to keep up with the Red Queen, but she didn’t gain any ground. Ever feel like that? “<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Here</em>, you see, it takes all the running <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">you </em>can do, to keep in the same place,” said the queen. “If you want to get somewhere else, you must run at least twice as fast as that!” How do we get off the merry-go-round that goes faster and faster? </font></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 35px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial">Next time you read the Gospels, notice how often Jesus withdrew. Jesus was retreating all the time—climbing mountains, walking beaches, sailing across the Sea of Galilee. He even spent forty days in the wilderness. Evidently, the best way to make progress is by retreating with great frequency and intentionality! Jesus operated with a sense of urgency, yet He was unhurried. In the words of Japanese theologian Kōsuke Koyama, He is the “three mile an hour God.”</font></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 35px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial"><img id="id_94df_275c_fe00_3213" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1vSOBr08MK9hD6D_869XJWLgoXZPfsfYn" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br>I love these verses in Isaiah chapter 30. We have our own ideas about how to live life but God says you need to return to me in order to do anything. Someone has suggested retreating is not just in order to advance, it is go back, back to what we know, back to the love and call on us of God who invites us to rest in him. </font></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 35px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial">“For<b> </b>thus saith the Lord <span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps;">God,</span> the Holy One of Israel; returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not. But ye said, No; for we will flee upon horses; therefore shall ye flee: and, We will ride upon the swift; therefore shall they that pursue you be swift. One thousand shall flee at the rebuke of one; at the rebuke of five shall ye flee: till ye be left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, and as an ensign on an hill. And therefore will the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span> wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span> is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.”</font></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 35px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><img id="id_73b0_1a0_bba8_49b3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1QweW5-K7FBx384a7qvdOI7W-hnMf6uW8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 35px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: Arial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">In Mark 6</span><span style="font-family: Arial; caret-color: rgb(33, 37, 41); color: rgb(33, 37, 41); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">, Jesus has sent his disciples out two-by-two, having given them authority to engage in the ministry of the kingdom of God. They did as Jesus had said, calling people to repentance and healing the sick. Later, they returned to Jesus to report back. Though Mark does not give us the details of this conversation, we do read one thing Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile” Jesus said this because “there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.” I know how that feels. We have a lot of conversation about sensible eating times round meetings! </span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 35px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(33, 37, 41); color: rgb(33, 37, 41); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><font face="Arial">Even Jesus got frazzled! </font></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 35px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><img id="id_c795_4adc_9397_9c32" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1sUW2WITALoLs2khr33J3SetnYuR8NmTQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Arial">I love the comedian Micky Flanagan. He talks in one of his shows about discovering the relaxing power of Magic Radio. He says they don’t like including the news because they know it will upset us but they are cheeky. The newsreader says there’s been a bad thing happening, very bad, but never mind, here’s Bill Withers with Lovely Day. Then he says “you’re back!” Back to relax and escape.</font></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 35px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">But sadly life isn’t all escaping. However, we need time out in order to live else we cannot live. Today I’ve walked round this special place in the fresh air and it’s done me good. The pictures in this blog are from that walk. Stuff in my head has begun to sort and Sunday’s sermon has begun to ruminate as has the one Sunday after. Without space to be we just have an overwhelming list of demands which just gets worse and we cannot cope. </span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 35px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial">“In returning and rest you shall be saved.” Hear that today especially if you are at breaking point. Rest! Do it! Return to God! The world will survive if you stop for a while, won’t it? My churches will still be there on Sunday. I hope! </font></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 35px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><img id="id_86b8_de10_1719_de43" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1lz8Fa0ZnT_XKq0Cycb6lfLqTg0FSIW8f" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><br><font face="Arial"><br></font></p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03514373576085534439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297656946642698729.post-55712530969911546692024-03-03T09:01:00.001-08:002024-03-03T09:02:20.365-08:00My sixth Lent blog - overturning the tables <div><font face="Arial"><img id="id_cae8_5fdc_2492_8af1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1P7kqV0seDJBw7Bfkt3vMEzIaKQ9PDp9P" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br></font></div><font face="Arial"><div><br></div>I’m writing</font><span style="font-family: Arial;"> this on Saturday night waiting for dinner at the Ship on Holy Island. We are having it as a takeaway as it’s a wild night here and not sensible to be out. It was sunny earlier! The weather here is unpredictable. This week in 2018 we were here for the beast from the east. Never to be forgotten. </span><div><div><font face="Arial">So as I’m waiting for seabass, ginger and lime fish cakes with chips and salad I’m pondering tomorrow’s lectionary even though I’m not leading worship. I expect we shall hear the passages in the service here at St Mary’s Church.</font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">Last week in worship I did a service on laughter and I used a picture of the laughing Jesus. This Sunday the Gospel of John has a very different picture of Jesus - a Jesus who gets angry. Are we comfortable with that? Jesus is the gentle Jesus meek and mild we sang about in Sunday School, he reacts where things are just wrong. Especially where there is injustice or people are blocking the way to God.</font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial"><img id="id_52a9_b36a_66cb_a9b4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1l8ZeNdQkllIhEANQj2Rol8nu6RiL5z3K" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial"><img id="id_6454_a494_f03b_315b" src="blob:null/227bdbd4-6e61-440a-8068-b426fe20661c" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br>The Gospel passage for the third Sunday of Lent is John 2: 13 - 22. Jesus overturning the tables in the Temple. The <span style="caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); color: rgb(38, 38, 38); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">first thing worth noticing is that this episode occurs in a different location from the other gospels. For Matthew, Mark and Luke this incident takes place near the start of Holy Week, just after the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, whereas for John it comes near the beginning of the Gospel, straight after the wedding feast in Cana of Galilee. Like that event, it marks a turning of the tables, of the ushering in of a way to relate to God which takes us beyond traditional laws, customs and frameworks.</span></font></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); color: rgb(38, 38, 38); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); color: rgb(38, 38, 38); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial">A big difference between John's account and that of the synoptic writers is less obvious but, nonetheless, significant. Whereas their focus is on how the Temple has been turned into a "den of robbers" John's concern is more nuanced: "He told those who were selling the doves, ‘Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father's house a marketplace!'" </font></span></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); color: rgb(38, 38, 38); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Arial"><span style="caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); color: rgb(38, 38, 38); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">John</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); color: rgb(38, 38, 38); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> is less concerned about the illegality, or otherwise, of what is happening in the Temple courtyards and more about how what has developed as regulation and law now obscures the Temple's foundational purpose – to be a place of encounter with God. </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); color: rgb(38, 38, 38); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">For John, it is not simply the sheep, cattle, doves and money changers who are being driven out, but the capacity to relate to God.</span></font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font>Yesterday I was at a world day of prayer </font>service in the cathedral. The service this year was prepared several years ago by the Christian women of Palestine. Some of the testimonies and prayers were very powerful. Then a Facebook friend who used to be in my circuit in Bexhill shared these words: </span>Ian Pruden the whole thing moved me to tears. Can’t help but wonder how many of the women involved in preparing this year’s service, are still alive. Doesn’t what is going on in Gaza make you angry? Unnecessary loss of life. Then there’s what’s happening in our country at the moment. We seem to be whipping up racism and extremism. We seem to be so unhappy we will blame everyone but us for the mess. How on earth is George Galloway back as an MP? What was that statement in Downing Street by the Prime Minister all about? Then there’s America. Can we really be considering reelecting Donald Trump? Doesn’t that make you angry? </font></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_3c2_359f_9c34_1003" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1I47LTZKK_zGzccOdjCCO0Xx2j5QVOZmw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><font face="Arial"><br>Then there’s what occurred in parliament last week. Ian Black who is Dean of Newport Cathedral preached this at Evensong last Sunday: <span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I don’t know about you, but I watched the news of the events in the Westminster Parliament on Wednesday this week, around what was supposed to be a debate on Britain’s position to bring lasting peace to Gaza, with a mix of bemusement and disgust. Struggling to make sense of the political manoeuvring and party game-playing, I was grateful to</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </span><a href="https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/party-political-game-playing-gaza-parliament" style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(116, 51, 153);">Hannah White</a><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">, from the Institute for Government, for a blog post to help make sense of it all. Traps for one party, risks for another, inadequate and outdated procedures, pride and power mixing. Meanwhile, thousands are dying in a violent and ruthless war. Parliament did not have a good day. Hannah White wrote in her blog post:</span></font></div><blockquote style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3em; vertical-align: baseline; quotes: none; font-style: italic; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><p style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><font face="Arial">“Political game-playing over parliamentary procedure is unedifying at the best of times, but for parliamentarians to behave in this way during a debate about a conflict in which tens of thousands are dying has undoubtedly brought Parliament into disrepute.”</font></p></blockquote><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><font face="Arial">It was a sharp rebuke and I was left thinking that the procedures are not the only thing that needs updating, we need a reboot and that will only come with a General Election</font><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif;">.”</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><font face="Arial">Is anger in spirituality justified? We need as Jesus hints to not hinder access for all to the holy space. We have chairs in my largest church now which means the space can be more flexible but there is a danger to make money we hire it out to the wrong sort of people.</font></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span style="font-family: Arial;">But maybe Jesus in John’s Gospel is more angry about things blocking access to God himself. So it’s right to get angry about man made rules in church which are now just ridiculous or out of touch ritual which excludes some and hinders mission. It’s right to get angry about the injustice in the world we see every day. If people of faith don’t try and overturn rubbish then who will? Then we live a different way. Jesus is the new temple rebuilt in three days. There’s a powerful Franciscan benediction which invites God to bless us with anger. Not violence, not aggression, not abuse or wrong power but anger that says “this just cannot be.” What do you think? Are we “inspired by love and anger”? </span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><font face="Arial">Maybe. For now though</font><span style="font-family: Arial;">, dinner awaits.</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><img id="id_2678_d980_d4b8_1f26" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/16-oiGAJ9IxIXQP3D8q9yHDHs1UWLhMOR" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Arial"><br></font></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><font face="Arial"><br></font></p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03514373576085534439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297656946642698729.post-79040692438981922242024-02-29T07:53:00.001-08:002024-02-29T08:48:45.398-08:00My fifth Lent blog - an extra day <img id="id_3466_e655_1f78_ae1a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/17jLaE8SVHNpJTeUBfp26ayJT8o7zXhZO" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial">What to do with this leap day? One extra day every four years making the dreary month of February one day longer. Apart from ladies being able to propose today, it’s a day when leaplings can celebrate their birthday on their actual birthday. One of our Circuit stewards is 19 today.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial">I’ve been at the hospital and have tried to clear a mountain of admin with a large mug of coffee. Apart from that it’s been a day like any other. Getting on with getting on. And making a difference. How about this article about one of my villages in yesteryear and why the vicar was popular!!!!!</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial"><br></font></span></div><img id="id_b23a_cbf8_a21a_60d8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/16ZwJcsv0wkU2Yf0UCbica72lBATPnI4I" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial">I found this on an American website: </font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(51, 0, 51); color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">Leap Years are necessary to sync the Gregorian calendar with the earth's revolutions around the sun. The earth requires 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 46 seconds to make one revolution. Since the Gregorian calendar year only has 365 days, failing to add one day every four years would mean losing six hours annually and a total of 24 days over 100 years.</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(51, 0, 51); color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(51, 0, 51); color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(51, 0, 51); color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">In chapter 10 of the book of Joshua</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 0, 51); color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">, Joshua needed extra time. Daylight was waning, and he hadn't finished defeating God's enemies. He decided to pray and ask God for more time. God answered by allowing the sun to stand still.</span></div><div><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(51, 0, 51); color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(51, 0, 51); color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">I've often wished for more than an extra day. A few more hours in every day would do nicely.</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(51, 0, 51); color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(51, 0, 51); color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(51, 0, 51); color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">Joshua's reason for needing extra time was admirable; mine doesn't always fall into the same category. I suppose when God gives extra time I need to reflect on why I have it. Is it because I'm lazy? Are there things I should do? Does God have plans I'm not following? Does He want me to rest?</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(51, 0, 51); color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(51, 0, 51); color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(51, 0, 51); color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">Of course, the opposite may also be true. God might withhold extra time because I'm not using His allotted time judiciously. Jesus tells several parables demonstrating the necessity of using wisely what God has given along with warning about what can happen when I don't.</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(51, 0, 51); color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(51, 0, 51); color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(51, 0, 51); color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">Leap Year gives me an extra day for meditation-and perhaps action. A day that won't surface for another four years. A day to meditate on some crucial questions: "What have I done with Jesus?" And "What am I doing for Him?" A day to contemplate His goodness in spite of my badness as well as His undeserved unconditional love and forgiveness even when I don't meet His expectations.</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(51, 0, 51); color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(51, 0, 51); color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(51, 0, 51); color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">Leap Year re-aligns the calendar with the earth's rotation, preventing the loss of time. Taking advantage of the extra time God gives can re-align priorities, decisions, relationships, and life in general.</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(51, 0, 51); color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br><font face="Arial">I don’t like the Old Testament thing of defeating enemies as God’s work - not helpful in the climate of Israel and Gaza today - but I get the point of the article. </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">Do we need extra time to make good our mistakes, sort our priorities? Or like Brian Bilston do we just make the best of every day? I guess so. <br></font> <div><img id="id_63f3_1e8_acc5_aaf2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1lZgI4R3yOGWmtO8vD4qn8CGBCTaR1Mze" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03514373576085534439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297656946642698729.post-10594180588363948002024-02-25T15:38:00.001-08:002024-02-29T04:26:12.955-08:00My fourth Lent blog - the God who invites us to laugh <div><img id="id_96c1_d2b6_b599_7c14" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1rab_sWnsZkZ30NtHaU8LdBt-S1maTJCB" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4">A reflection on today’s scripture passages: </font></div><div><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"><br></font></div><div><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4">“Sarah denied, saying, ‘I did not laugh’; for she was afraid. He said, ‘Oh yes, you did laugh.”</font></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"> </font></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4">Having lost his wife after a long marriage, Albert went to the undertaker to arrange a headstone for her. She had been a devout and faithful Christian so he wanted the words “she was thine” on the stone. Imagine his horror when the stone was done and erected and he visited the cemetery to see it said “she was thin.” Albert rang the undertaker. “They’ve left an e off!” he said. “I’ll put it right” said the undertaker. So next time Albert visited the cemetery he was confident all would be well. It wasn’t. The stone now read “Eee, she was thin!”</font></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"> </font></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4">Well, it makes me laugh that old joke. </font></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"> </font></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4">What makes you laugh? What about classic television sketches that are really old but we laugh like we’ve never seen them or maybe because we know what is coming. We know every word of the twelve episodes of Fawlty Towers, or the Andrew Preview sketch on the Morecambe and Wise Christmas show: “I’m playing all the right notes but not necessarily in the right order.” Or what about maybe the funniest piece of writing ever. The wonderful Victoria Wood Two soups with amazing timing from Julie Walters. “One soup, and another soup.” </font></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"> </font></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Are there times we can only laugh because what is happening to us or suggested might happen to us feels so ridiculous it’s laughable? Today we are invited to consider Sarai, renamed Sarah and her reaction to divine plans for her. Who was she? </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">She</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">was married to someone on a mission from God. And, not just any mission. God told Abram (who would become Abraham) that he would be the father of a great nation. Not only that, but he would have to leave their home country to do it. This wasn’t some fly-by-night fantasy of youth, either. Abraham was 75 years old when he set off on this mission. He didn’t have any biological children at this point. He took up his family, including his nephew Lot, and all of everybody’s stuff and took off to follow up on God’s promises. That was a laughable plan wasn’t it. Imagine Abram’s </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">neighbours'</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">reaction. “Where are you going? You’re going to be the father of how many nations, at 75?” You are having a laugh! Imagine Sarai’s reaction when Abram told her they were moving with no idea where they were heading to live in tents as foreigners with no abiding city. Remember Abram was a man of considerable wealth and influence in Haran and he was prepared to give that all up to follow his God. </span></span></font></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"> </font></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">So I imagine Abram and Sarai pondering often how on earth Abram could be the father of many nations when as Romans says he was as good as dead. </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">We will return to that phrase. </span></span></font></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span></font></p><p class="s8" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"><span class="s7" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Can we predict or anticipate what God will do in our lives and our world? Story after story in our Scripture, tradition, and experience points to an unpredictable God. God moves, calls, and pulls in ways that are surprising, creative, and yes, laughable. </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"></span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Billy Graham once had a </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">question-and-answer</span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> session</span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">. </span></span></font></p><p class="s8" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"><span class="s7" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span></font></p><p class="s8" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"><span class="s7" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">“Did Jesus</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> ever smile or laugh, or was </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">he</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">solemn all the time? I have a friend who's very solemn, and he says he doesn't believe in laughing or cracking jokes, because Jesus never laughed, and we ought to be like Jesus.</span></span></font></p><p class="s8" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span></font></p><p class="s8" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"><span class="s7" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">I </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">feel sorry for your friend, because a balanced sense of humor can save us from taking ourselves too </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">seriously and</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> help us see through the pride and </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">pretence</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> of our sinful world.</span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> Did Jesus</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> have a sense of </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">humour</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">? I’m sure He did. Think, for example, of His comment that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a prideful, selfish rich person to enter heaven (you can read it in Mark 10:25). Can you picture a camel trying to go through the eye of a needle—without laughing? I doubt it.</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">”</span></span></font></p><p class="s8" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span></font></p><p class="s8" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><img id="id_d99b_884c_ed20_a5d7" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1oYf_F0q6iW-cPzOrcqLh6QHRAswEkLRp" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span></font></p><p class="s8" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"><span class="s7" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">The story of Abraham and Sarah is</span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">one of surprise. They have made a logical assumption that they won’t be able to have children of their own together (to read about how they have taken matters into their own hands, read the story of Hagar and Ishmael!</span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">)</span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> They have no idea what is about to happen. </span></span></font></p><p class="s8" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"><span class="s7" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span></font></p><p class="s8" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"><span class="s7" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Then God moves.</span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">God blesses Abram and Sarai in ways no one could have predicted– not only with children but with the blessing of covenant. Like a marriage, like a religious vow, like a sacred contract, God solidifies a relationship with Abram and Sarai through a covenant and a promise, and they are transformed.</span></span></font></p><p class="s8" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"><span class="s7" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span></font></p><p class="s8" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><span class="s7" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4">They are so transformed they even get new names that demonstrate their new blessing, their new identities. The name Sarai signifies “my lady,” or “my princess,” the matriarch of one family. “Sarah” expands that identity to “Lady,” or “Princess,” one for the multitude, not just a particular line. </font></span></span></p><p class="s8" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><span class="s7" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"><br></font></span></span></p><p class="s8" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><span class="s7" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4">Similarly, in Hebrew, the name Abram means “exalted father” and Abraham means “father of a multitude.” Their new identities are without restriction, expanded in a way they could never have imagined.</font></span></span></p><p class="s8" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><span class="s7" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"><br></font></span></span></p><p class="s8" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><span class="s7" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4">What would happen if we were open to the impossible? Open to being surprised, open to being transformed? How would our lives – individual and communal – change if we walked around being open to being transformed, to meeting God in ways that are unexpected and surprising? </font></span></span></p><p class="s8" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><span class="s7" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"><br></font></span></span></p><p class="s8" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"><span class="s7" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">That’s Genesis chapter 17 but </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Abraham and Sarah</span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> still don’t know how they will aid the future unless it’s through </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Ishmael,</span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> but no</span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">w</span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Sarah has a huge role in the </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">drama,</span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> and I get her reaction. </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">We have these three visitors, later in icons seen as the Trinity. God himself visits these elderly souls to convince them of his future and his need of them. </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">So,</span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> in Genesis 18 we read this:</span></span></font></p><p class="s8" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"><span class="s7" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span></font></p><p class="s8" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"><span class="s9" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(15, 59, 107); background-color: rgb(244, 244, 241);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">They said to him, "Where is Sarah your wife?" And he said, "She is in the tent." The Lord said, "I will surely return to you in the spring, and Sarah your wife shall have a son." And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, "After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I have pleasure?" The Lord said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh, and say, 'Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?' Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, in the spring, and Sarah shall have a son." But Sarah denied, saying, "I did not laugh"; for she was afraid. He said, "No, but you did laugh."</span></span><span class="s9" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(15, 59, 107); background-color: rgb(244, 244, 241);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> </span></span></font></p><p class="s8" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"><span class="s9" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(15, 59, 107); background-color: rgb(244, 244, 241);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span></font></p><p class="s11" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span class="s10" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4">Beyond the dividing curtain in the tent, Sarah was listening to everything. She was doing the dishes just beyond the tent curtain, but she heard all the conversation between her husband and the visitors. She hears the question and the promise, and she realises it is God who is saying that she will have a son. </font></span></span></p><p class="s11" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span class="s10" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"><br></font></span></span></p><p class="s11" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"><span class="s10" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">One commentator says “</span></span><span class="s10" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">She looks at her </span></span><span class="s10" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">ninety</span></span><span class="s10" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">-year-old body, long since almost dead. She looks in the mirror and sees the whiteness of her hair, the wrinkles in her face. She feels the arthritis in her bones. And when she hears this, she laughs cynically to herself.</span></span><span class="s10" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">”</span></span></font></p><p class="s11" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span class="s10" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4">She makes no sound at all, but laughs to herself, we are told. But beyond the curtains, the Lord reads her thoughts and says to Abraham, "Why does Sarah laugh in her heart? Is anything too hard for the Lord? I'll set a date for this: I'll be back next spring, and she shall have a son." And we read that Sarah was afraid. She saw that her heart was open and known to God. </font></span></span></p><p class="s11" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span class="s10" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4">She saw that there was one who reads hearts as we read books, and she reacted just like we do. She denied that she had laughed. And the word comes to her. "No, but you did laugh. Admit it, face it: you did laugh, Sarah."</font></span></span></p><p class="s11" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span class="s10" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"><br></font></span></span></p><p class="s11" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span class="s10" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4">Remarkably enough, the account ends there. Suddenly the subject is dropped, and another situation is introduced in the next paragraph. We are left to wonder what this means. </font></span></span></p><p class="s11" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span class="s10" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"><br></font></span></span></p><p class="s11" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span class="s10" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4">Back in Chapter 17, when God announced to Abraham for perhaps the fifth time that he was to have a son, we are told that Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, "Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah who is ninety years old bear a son?"This is the laugh of exulting joy over what God had promised. It is a laughter of faith delighting in what God would do in spite of every conceivable problem. Sarah’s laughter I think is a “don’t be daft” laugh. </font></span></span></p><p class="s11" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span class="s10" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"><br></font></span></span></p><p class="s11" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span class="s10" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4">Romans 4 summarises the story: </font></span></span></p><p class="s11" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"><span class="s12" style="line-height: 12px; vertical-align: super;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 18px;"> </span></span><span class="s12" style="line-height: 12px; vertical-align: super;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 18px;">“</span></span><span class="s13" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.</span></span><span class="s12" style="line-height: 12px; vertical-align: super;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 18px;"> </span></span><span class="s13" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead.</span></span></font></p><p class="s11" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"><span class="s13" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of </span></span><span class="s13" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">God but</span></span><span class="s13" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. </span></span><span class="s12" style="line-height: 12px; vertical-align: super;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 18px;"> </span></span><span class="s13" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">This is why “it was </span></span><span class="s13" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">counted</span></span><span class="s13" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> to him as righteousness.</span></span><span class="s13" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">” </span></span></font></p><p class="s11" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"><span class="s13" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span></font></p><p class="s15" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.62;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"><span class="s14" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Let’s remember</span></span><span class="s14" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> </span></span><span class="s14" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">while this is a story about Sarah and Abraham, this is also a story about God making and keeping a promise. </span></span></font></p><p class="s15" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.62;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"> </font></span></p><p class="s15" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.62;"><span class="s14" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4">Charles Wesley puts it like this:</font></span></span></p><p class="s15" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.62;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px; background-color: rgb(244, 244, 241); color: rgb(15, 59, 107);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Faith, mighty faith the promise sees,</span></span><span class="s17" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(15, 59, 107);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px; background-color: rgb(244, 244, 241); color: rgb(15, 59, 107);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">And looks to God alone.</span></span><span class="s17" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(15, 59, 107);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px; background-color: rgb(244, 244, 241); color: rgb(15, 59, 107);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Laughs at impossibilities and cries,</span></span><span class="s17" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(15, 59, 107);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> </span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px; background-color: rgb(244, 244, 241); color: rgb(15, 59, 107);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">"</span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px; background-color: rgb(244, 244, 241); color: rgb(15, 59, 107);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">it shall be </span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px; background-color: rgb(244, 244, 241); color: rgb(15, 59, 107);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">done”.</span></span></font></p><p class="s15" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.62;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"> </font></span></p><p class="s15" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.62;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px; background-color: rgb(244, 244, 241); color: rgb(15, 59, 107);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">I</span></span><span class="s16" style="line-height: 19.200001px; background-color: rgb(244, 244, 241); color: rgb(15, 59, 107);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> </span></span><span class="s14" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">do love that Abraham names Sarah's child after her laugh. Isaac means laughter. Laughter, once the sign of her exhaustion and exasperation, in this child, becomes a sign of God’s grace and covenant. Sarah may have even told people this story, laughing again, this time at the goodness of it all.</span></span><span class="s14" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> There’s a lovely verse in Genesis 21 which sees Sarah telling her story: </span></span><span class="s18" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">And Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me.” – Genesis 21:6</span></span></font></p><p class="s15" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.62;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"> </font></span></p><p class="s15" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.62;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"><span class="s14" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">What makes you laugh? What is God going to say to us when he visits our tent? Maybe it’s time to follow the ridiculous and laugh together it might come to be. </span></span><span class="s14" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Maybe it won’t be a child. But some new life will</span></span><span class="s14" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> surely surprise</span></span><span class="s14" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> us. Here’s now…</span></span></font></p><p class="s15" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.62;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"><span class="s14" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span></font></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4">There’s not much to laugh about in the world this morning is there? It was the second anniversary yesterday of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. We hardly hear about Ukraine now - it’s one of those situations that rumbles on and on. Then there’s Israel and Gaza and Yemen and the Middle East. Not much to laugh about. </font></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"> </font></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4">The Gospel passage for today is Jesus’ call to take up your cross. Nothing to laugh about there. </font></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"><br></font></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">A cross was the way you rid of someone. </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Jesus calls Peter and the other disciples to carry their crosses, not yet a symbol of Christianity, but a tool for Roman power and control. The disciples and early Christians were called to lead what would have been considered nearly criminal lives under Jesus’ alternative kingdom, the kingdom of God. Carrying the cross always ends with one’s death, either death at the hands of the Romans, as happened to many disciples, or death to self and ambition, as often happens to us when we follow the way of Jesus. Not much to laugh about.</span></span></font></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"> </font></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4">But there’s a verse in the Gospel that Jesus would have us notice this morning. We have to lose our life in order to save it. Maybe we are being called to follow the God of laughter and hope and joy to the cross but remember he doesn’t leave us there. Maybe the God of laughter and hope and joy is found in the brokenness and mess of the world and tells us he will have the last laugh. No one expected resurrection. We are called to live laughter out of despair, hope out of hopelessness and new life out of death. The God of laughter and hope and joy calls us to be faithful and to share a different story to the miserable one about us. Our God turns mourning into dancing!</font></span></span></p><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; border: 1px solid transparent;"></div><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"> </font></span></p><p class="s11" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">God of grace and God of laughter,</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">singing worlds from nought to be</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">sun and stars and all thereafter</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">joined in cosmic harmony:</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">give us songs of joy and wonder,</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">music making hearts rejoice;</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">let our praises swell like thunder,</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">echoing our Maker's voice.</span></span></font></p><p class="s11" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span></font></p><p class="s11" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">When our lives are torn by sadness,</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">heal our wounds with tuneful balm;</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">when all seems discordant madness,</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">help us find a measured calm.</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Steady us with music's anchor</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">when the storms of life increase;</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">in the midst of hurt and rancour,</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">make us instruments of peace.</span></span></font></p><p class="s11" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"> </font></span></p><p class="s11" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Turn our sighing into singing,</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">music born of hope restored;</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">set our souls and voices ringing,</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">tune our hearts in true accord:</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">till we form a mighty chorus</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">joining angel choirs above,</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">with all those who went before us,</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">in eternal hymns of love.</span></span></font></p><p class="s11" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><img id="id_7477_a286_13b6_23ac" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1hNXBI4iCbSs8g4EytW-4SIm2idR_YzdY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="4"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span></font></p><p class="s11" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><br><br><br></p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03514373576085534439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297656946642698729.post-12868822610143988612024-02-18T13:48:00.001-08:002024-02-18T13:48:54.896-08:00Times of support in wilderness moments - my third Lent blog <font face="Arial"><img id="id_93e9_a485_866d_451f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1xzGBqVLX68tVjQdSxL88ARyjTszzSl7U" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br> </font><div><font face="Arial">Today is the first Sunday of Lent and in our churches we’ve been considering wilderness times in life. I’ve led three congregations today in worship and my brain has thought about three things really… at the end of a busy Sunday I am sharing what wilderness and help through it might mean. I love this picture of an empty Carthorpe chapel. There was no one in it when I arrived tonight! They were all out the back putting cups out for refreshments afterwards. </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">First I think I’ve been struck by the fact in Mark’s Gospel Jesus is “driven” by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness. The Greek word used for “driven” is the same word used to describe driving out demons later in the Gospel so it’s a strong word. Almost that we are compelled in life to have times when we are made to consider who we are and what life is all about. Today has been an important day in the church at Allhallowgate. We sat on chairs for the first time in the church for worship. The place was rocking, it looked fresh and the atmosphere lighter. I did suggest maybe we’ve had for the last three and a half years a time of discernment and working out what we are meant to be. And that maybe now it’s exciting and hopeful as we emerge with some growth points - not just chairs - but even they are a sign of revolution. Jesus began his ministry but only when he’d discerned his calling. Maybe churches which are stuck need to do the same. Work out what you are for. God is doing a new thing. Are we joining in?? </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">Perhaps we are. I’ve just received this:</font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">“I wanted to go out of the church shouting wow come and see the smiling congregation. What a special feel today. Not often the first Sunday in lent has been so special. Thank you.”</font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">Normally the minister who dares to take out pews gets snotty letters - not here he hasn’t. There’s a right time. I got quite emotional this morning. It felt like we are together on the edge of something happening.</font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial"><img id="id_4c8_ebee_9945_cc8e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1scQWWHgyN69reMj71pDlYtrw3Tq1VaO4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br>Second, I think in the wilderness story we need to see that Jesus gets that life is hard and so understands when we are struggling. As I drove up the A1M to Bedale for 9am communion this morning - 13 hours ago - I had the Radio 4 service on which came from Glasgow University. The chapel choir sang these words: </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial"><img decoding="async" src="http://www.postkiwi.com/images/2010/4/jesus-and-thomas-sri-wardani.jpg" alt="Jesus and Thomas, Come See and Believe painting by Ni Ketut Ayu Sri Wardani " style="box-sizing: inherit; border-style: none; height: auto; max-width: 100%; width: 354px;" id="id_3af_c1ff_4f6a_9f53"><br style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span id="more-5516" style="box-sizing: inherit;"></span></font></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial">Don’t tell me of a faith that fears<br style="box-sizing: inherit;">To face the world around<br style="box-sizing: inherit;">Don’t dull my mind with easy thoughts<br style="box-sizing: inherit;">of grace without a ground.</font></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial">I need to know that God is real!<br style="box-sizing: inherit;">I need to know that Christ can feel<br style="box-sizing: inherit;">the need to touch and love and heal<br style="box-sizing: inherit;">the world, including me!</font></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial">Don’t speak of piety and prayers<br style="box-sizing: inherit;">Absolved from human need;<br style="box-sizing: inherit;">Don’t talk of spirit without flesh<br style="box-sizing: inherit;">Like harvest without seed.</font></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial">Don’t sate my soul with common sense<br style="box-sizing: inherit;">Distilled from ages past<br style="box-sizing: inherit;">Inept for those who fear the world’s<br style="box-sizing: inherit;">about to breathe its last.</font></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial">Don’t set the cross before my eyes<br style="box-sizing: inherit;">unless you tell the truth<br style="box-sizing: inherit;">of how the Lord, who finds the lost,<br style="box-sizing: inherit;">was often found uncouth.</font></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial">So let the Gospel come alive<br style="box-sizing: inherit;">in actions plain to see<br style="box-sizing: inherit;">in imitation of the one<br style="box-sizing: inherit;">whose love extends to me.</font></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial">I need to know that God is real!<br style="box-sizing: inherit;">I need to know that Christ can feel<br style="box-sizing: inherit;">the need to touch and love and heal<br style="box-sizing: inherit;">the world, including me!</font></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial">That Jesus gets it matters. We don’t need a Jesus who is sugary sweet. We need a Jesus who is vulnerable and scarred and who struggles and hurts but who comes through those times. Lent points us to passion and a cross but then to joy and resurrection life. But we have to suffer in order to find healing and we have to die in order to rise and that is hard. </font></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><img id="id_6da0_e457_b34_e43" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1lXjvglqwj9jXblHjAdLnYRjob2TdtdJA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Arial">Then thirdly, the Markan account of wilderness has Jesus waited on by angels. Who are the people who are angels to us when we are in the wilderness? Or are we abandoned by people? I remember when our manse wasn’t habitable being moved to Hailsham, a town we didn’t know. I was depressed and unwell and eventually when I dragged back into a Methodist Church to sit on the back row the little congregation at Hailsham were angels to me without knowing it. </font></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial">This week has seen the sudden passing of the DJ Steve Wright. There’s been an outpouring of grief and sadness. The nation has come together to mourn, to share stories and to listen his favourite music. Sunday Love Songs has been on for 28 years and today Liza Tarbuck, another broadcaster I love whose Saturday night programme gets better as she gets more sozzled on a second bottle of wine, and goes on about the Leisure Peninsula, well she led us in what was a community book of remembrance as people shared stories of him reading out dedications at important life moments. I listened to part of the programme driving back down the A1M and caught up with the rest of it tonight. I am in bits. Liza said this "So while you're getting a tissue, I think it would be lovely if you lit him a candle. I make no apologies if I get upset over the next two hours and I don't think you should either." It was as though the nation was looking after each other today. There was something deeply spiritual going on. Of God? Well, yes. And it was a masterpiece of broadcasting. </font></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial">Wilderness, driven there, knowing our experience and supporting each other when life hurls a rock at us, that’s where Lent begins. And now I’m done in. But I’ve made a start to the journey… and there is hope and a buzz about. </font></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><img id="id_1e11_6b2f_88c_f4c3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1oDAOl1Nn-_hfKuAzjlZyEm5wDFXLuqox" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 171px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><font face="Arial"><br></font></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br><br><font face="Arial"><br></font></p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03514373576085534439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297656946642698729.post-82750056175407393632024-02-16T15:12:00.001-08:002024-02-16T15:12:15.879-08:00Life’s journey - my second Lent blog <font face="Arial"><img id="id_3b35_a546_15b3_c0c9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1VcwdFgZJS4PxaNXxW-vVjceJ9BTbnNv7" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br> </font><div><font face="Arial">Sometimes a simple journey can turn into a nightmare. Take the train, they say. Then you hit the reality of LNER! I’m beginning to write this on Leeds station after one of the most unpleasant journeys I’ve undertaken for many years. A five coach train when we’d all booked a seat on a ten coach one. We crammed on. The train manager, a lovely man called Neil told us those on the trains were “sick of it” as putting five coach trains on when there were meant to be double the coaches is a regular occurrence. The carriage I was in got hotter and hotter and it was unbearable until it began to lessen in numbers at Wakefield Westgate —- and now I’m stuck in Leeds as there was a failed train on the platform in front of us so we sat outside the station for ages so I’ve missed my connection to Harrogate. There’s another in a bit. Neil said “I would say I hope the delays haven’t caused you inconvenience but I know they have. I’m so sorry.”</font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">Maybe the journey of life is as complicated. Three of us at a thanksgiving service today (which I’ll come to) were reflecting on the state of the world. We were discussing food banks in affluent areas. People’s journeys are tough and it’s hard to keep going. We get on for the ride but it’s not comfortable and it’s tough to see a way forward as tough as folk trying to get through coach B to the loo past people standing in every space they could find. Neil said “I would normally pass through the train but that’s impossible!” We loved his honesty. </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial"><img id="id_e9f6_23f_8b85_a8eb" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1E6suukyHRR1Qg6fod4szf2yUbrsTKwz4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br>Life is tough. The journey is hard. We need help. Tomorrow I’m leading a quiet day for my circuit on journeying. Sadly there’s only a few coming. But we will have a good time. Abram journeyed into the unknown “not knowing whither he went” to a land that God would show him. People thought he was mad but he had his eye and heart on the destination - not Harrogate - but an abiding with God in “a city which has the foundations whose builder and maker is God.” I love that chapter of the letter to the Hebrews. It’s about certainty in uncertainty. Moses, my second character tomorrow, found a burning bush irresistible, but he wasn’t sure he was equipped to make the journey God called him to make. Then there’s Jesus. Jesus who made a journey into the desert to think for forty long days. I’m writing a sermon and blog for Sunday about when we are driven on</font></div><div><font face="Arial">a journey - compelled to go, even if we don’t know how we will get there.</font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial"><img id="id_1465_1ff_65d9_7f9c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1EVmooL6LIAotCLXRvdFIpDcUc0tK7bLB" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br>Today we’ve been at the thanksgiving service for the life of Brenda Ackroyd. There aren’t many people I’d leave the house at 7.30am for and have a day of rail hassle! Brenda had a long life and her journey was one of deep faith, smiling and Christian witness and certainty. She helped many young people at Batford church know how to live in a right and good way, she was a down to earth Methodist local preacher, she led the sisterhood at Kinsbourne Green when I was lay worker there, I shared leading junior church at Batford with her and her husband Geoff, she was a dear friend to many (we were all “dear”) and she was an encouraging letter writer. I have many letters from her written to encourage me on important points of my journey. Brenda knew God in Jesus held her in life and now holds her in eternity and it was a privilege to be back in Harpenden today even if I’m not home yet — to celebrate her pilgrimage. </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial"><img id="id_a479_e378_73c4_8508" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/15rdBHhRwoDGjDc213XRnmMzxH3I-9U6r" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br>We need certainty when there’s so much in life that is uncertain. I’m on the last bit of my journey on the train to Harrogate. Late! But I’ll arrive back in one piece - just. Deacon Sarah, who led Brenda’s service just right today shared with us she sang a hymn with Brenda in her final days, which summed up her faith and positivity. </font></div><div><font face="Arial">“Breathe through the heat of our desire, thy coolness and thy balm, let sense be dumb, let flesh retire, speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire, o still small voice of calm.” </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">Tonight Neil said he would get us home. Late yes, but safe. And God does that too. Remember Jesus in that wilderness desolation was attended to by angels. Uncertainty on the journey? God is with us and ahead of us… know it. Maybe if we are stuck in a LNER nightmare we need to know we will get through it. I rather therefore like tonight’s nite blessing and I pray it for you if your journey is hard and you cannot see a way ahead.</font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">May the flame of hope be kept alight in your soul by the grace and mercy of God. No matter how dark things seem, and no matter how far away the dawn feels, may God hold you through it all. May you hear the heartbeat of his tender care as he embraces you in the dark. </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_44df_54d1_b8c7_9158" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1RmFSrAtPT4BgFe1tPPQJxCzwL80prqOF" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03514373576085534439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297656946642698729.post-77418288586547252252024-02-14T13:17:00.001-08:002024-02-14T16:08:52.872-08:00 Ash Wednesday - remember you are dust… <p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; line-height: 1.68;"><font size="4"></font><img id="id_f9e4_baf_9589_8cf9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1TVqDtdaU4viiSYYk-B10g_8BQwmUYfJU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span></font></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; line-height: 1.68;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">The last time it happened was</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> 2018</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">; Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday (marking the start of Lent) falling on the same da</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">y.</span></span></font></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; line-height: 1.68;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">The</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> next time will be </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">2029, and then the wait will be more than 100 years until it happens again in 2170! </span></span></font></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; line-height: 1.68;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">“For some people, it could be a little confus</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">ing, said a priest the last time this happened: </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">“Do I fast, or do I eat my chocolate?”</span></span></font></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; line-height: 1.68;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">What</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> do we do with </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">a day that has two important things in it.</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> A</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> friend </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">sent me a helpful Roman Catholic blog when I posted on </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Facebook I was sitting in the church in Allhallowgate in the quietness </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">on Monday night </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">seeking inspiration. </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">I’d put in my diary for Monday night “write sermon for Wednesday.”</span></span></font></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; line-height: 1.68;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"></span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Father Thomas Conway writes “</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">I find it thought provoking that Ash Wednesday </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">and Valentines Day fall on the same day this year. The differences in the two commemorations are just this side of comical.</span></span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></font></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; line-height: 1.68;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Valentines Day conjures up two people scrubbed clean for an important evening out. </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">On Ash Wednesday most Catholics see it as a sacred duty to find a church </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">so that some duly designated person can purposely smear </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">black ashes on the most prominent place on the body. And of course, it’s not a random mark but the sign of the cross </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">symbolising the death of Jesus. Valentines Day often comes accompanied by robust demands for creativity</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">, some obligations of gift giving and an aura of extravagance. One rose is not enough and a dozen roses is also not enough. Keep </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">going. Everything about Ash Wednesday roars of sacrifice, desolation, austerity, simplicity, </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">retrenchment. Don’t you even dare think </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">about a delicious steak dinner! A proper Valentines Day it seems, should send off fireworks of self esteem</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">: messages of “I feel great about me, I feel great about you. I feel great about us together.” </span></span></font></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; line-height: 1.68;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Next to Good Friday, Ash Wednesday is the Catholic person’s highest holiday of cataloging, indexing and </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">cross referencing every one of our most grievous and most minor transgressions against God and humanity.” </span></span></font></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; line-height: 1.68;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">So can we do both</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> things</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">? </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">What do we write in a Valentine card? “Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return”?! </span></span></font></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; line-height: 1.68;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Well let’s think about the word Valentine. There is a </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">four-letter</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> word </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">in it. That word is Lent. So maybe you can’t have Valentine</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">s without Lent in it. Bare with me! </span></span></font></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; line-height: 1.68;"><img id="id_f546_d483_3c04_9ef0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1xLAMQZ-yO6kMSZ-zEUtjUqbrlYI7-mfZ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; line-height: 1.68;"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">Two things strike me.</font></span></span></p><p class="s6" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">When we are ashed if that is our tradition and we find it helpful and I know a lot of Methodist people don’t do this day, </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">it is a public sign that indeed we were dust and to dust we shall return. </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">God created us from the ground and one day when we end this life on </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">earth,</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> we shall return to it. </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">We are reminded on Ash Wednesday that life on earth is short. We have one go at it</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">. Maybe at the beginning of Lent we are reminded of our mortality. </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">We recall </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">God's words to Adam in Genesis 3:19, “for dust you are, and to dust you will return.” These brutally realistic words from three thousand years ago stand in stark contrast to the archetypal lie that Satan told Eve, and the denial that flourishes today: "surely you will not die!"</span></span></font></p><p class="s6" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Ash Wednesday is thus "the most honest of days," says Sara Miles in her book</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">City of God</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">, because it's a day when the church reminds us of what our culture denies, and what no one else will tell us—that our days are limited, and that we've made a mess of things. The hard truth of Lent is thus a blessing because it deconstructs our lies and tells us the truth. Lent helps us to live in reality.</span></span></font></p><p class="s6" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; line-height: 21.6px;"><img id="id_9162_392a_d0b2_52f6" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/16wy7xvUIFcqH4HYesh0Lp2QIgH0-MAz8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; line-height: 1.68;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">So maybe the challenge today is to live every day well. </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Because we haven’t long here. </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Time rushes</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> on</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">. On a pastoral visit on Monday a man said “how long you been here now. Two years?” He was shocked when I said it will be four in the summer. </span></span></font></p><p class="s6" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">In her book </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Smoke Gets In Your Eyes and Other Lessons from the Crematory,</span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">(what a great title) </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Caitlin Doughty aims to "look mortality straight in the eye," based upon her years working as a mortician.</span></span></font></p><p class="s6" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> In her view, "death should be </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">known</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">. Known as a difficult mental, physical, and emotional process, respected and feared for what it is." </span></span></font></p><p class="s6" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">She</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> would disrupt our "polite complacency" about a taboo topic. "When you know that death is coming for you, the thought inspires you to be ambitious, to </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">apologise</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> to old enemies, call your grandparents, work less, travel more, learn Russian, take up knitting. Fall in love." Which is to say, we can live a better life if we think more intentionally about death.</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return. And the second bit —-</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">“turn away</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> from your </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">sins and</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> believe the good news.”</span></span></font></p><p class="s6" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">Maybe knowing we are here for a purpose we will be renewed to live life fully. </font></span></span></p><p class="s6" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">The Psalmist saw the need of a new beginning. We think Psalm 51 was prayed by David after Nathan the prophet had challenged him about being a very naughty boy with Uriah’s wife… “create in me a clean heart o God and put a new </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">and right spirit within me.” </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Jesus wanted his people to be quietly loving. That’s why he condemns </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">showy off religion all about wanting to make us feel good and noticed. </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">The popular belief about St Valentine is that he was a priest from Rome in the third century AD.</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Emperor Claudius II had banned marriage because he thought married men were bad soldiers. Valentine felt this was unfair, so he broke the rules and arranged marriages in secret.</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> </span></span></font></p><p class="s6" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">When Claudius found out, Valentine was thrown in jail and sentenced to death.</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">There, he fell in love with the jailer’s daughter and when he was taken to be killed on </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">14 February,</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> he sent her a love letter signed “from your Valentine”.</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"></span></span></font></p><p class="s6" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Whether there is any truth in that story we do not know but maybe today we begin Lent celebrating sacrificial and </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">unending love. As the old hymn </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">says,</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> “live this day as if thy last.” </span></span></font></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; line-height: 1.68;"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return. </font></span></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; line-height: 1.68;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">We celebrate love today of all sorts and most of all the eternal love of God which is </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">overwhelming and more lasting and healthier than even the largest most expensive box of chocolates</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">. Lent reminds us yes of our mortality and the need to live well, but also of our </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 19.200001px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">destiny. </span></span></font></p><p class="s9" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(30, 30, 30);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">An old prayer book prayer for Lent said that where death began, life will be restored and that the Evil One who by a tree once overcame will likewise by a tree be overcome. Th</span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(30, 30, 30);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">e </span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(30, 30, 30);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">apple tree of the Garden of Eden will be superseded by a cross-shaped tree on a gruesome hill outside Jerusalem; there the possibility of life with God was born. </span></span></font></p><p class="s9" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(30, 30, 30);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span></font></p><p class="s9" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(30, 30, 30);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">The sermon is </span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(30, 30, 30);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">morbid,</span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(30, 30, 30);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> but it also has in it the promise of resurrection.</span></span></font></p><p class="s9" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(30, 30, 30);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span></font></p><p class="s9" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><img id="id_255a_59a8_35db_d8b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1t5c6nJm2vyCzd6MYmKNLhW3AQUwLcGlJ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(30, 30, 30);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span></font></p><p class="s9" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></span></p><p class="s9" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(30, 30, 30);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Ash Wednesda</span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(30, 30, 30);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">y and Valentine’s Day together are odd partners</span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(30, 30, 30);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">. But then ours is an odd faith, a faith that began in the dust and ashes of a borrowed tomb, a grave, a place of death. That womb of dust and ash and death was the resting place of Christ who loved the world all the way to death on a cross.</span></span></font></p><p class="s9" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></span></p><p class="s9" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(30, 30, 30);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” </span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(30, 30, 30);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> </span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(30, 30, 30);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">These are the words that will be spoken</span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(30, 30, 30);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> over us in our service today.</span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(30, 30, 30);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> </span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(30, 30, 30);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">The clock is ticking. But the mark of the cross reminds</span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(30, 30, 30);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">us</span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(30, 30, 30);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> that there is so much more. Ashes are not forever. Endings always</span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(30, 30, 30);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> have</span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(30, 30, 30);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> new beginnings</span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(30, 30, 30);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">after them.</span></span></font></p><p class="s9" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></span></p><p class="s9" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(30, 30, 30);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">You can’t have Valentines without Lent in it. Write that in a card next time the two things happen on the same day</span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(30, 30, 30);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> in five years time.</span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(30, 30, 30);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"></span></span></font></p><p class="s9" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></span></p><p class="s9" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(30, 30, 30);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><font face="Arial" size="4">Now, even now, in the midst of dust and ashes on this day of love, it is a day of deep grace a day when we remember we are in the hands of God in life, in death and into the glory of eternity.</font></span></span></p><p class="s10" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.65;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></span></p><p class="s10" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.65;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span class="s11" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Jesus, you place on my forehead</span></span><span class="s12" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">the sign of my sister Death:</span></span><span class="s12" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">"Remember you are dust,</span></span><span class="s12" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">and to dust you shall return."</span></span><span class="s12" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s12" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">How not hear her wise advice?</span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> </span></span><span class="s12" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">One day my life on earth will end;</span></span><span class="s12" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">the limits on my years are set,</span></span><span class="s12" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">though I know not the day or hour.</span></span><span class="s12" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Shall I be ready to go to meet you?</span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> </span></span><span class="s12" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Let this holy season be a time of grace</span></span><span class="s12" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">for me and all this world.</span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> </span></span><span class="s12" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s12" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">"Teach us to number our days aright,</span></span><span class="s12" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">that we may gain wisdom of heart."</span></span><span class="s12" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">O Jesus, you place on my forehead</span></span><span class="s12" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">the sign of your saving Cross:</span></span><span class="s12" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">"Turn from sin and be faithful</span></span><span class="s12" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">to the gospel."</span></span><span class="s12" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s12" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">How can I turn from sin</span></span><span class="s12" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">unless I turn to you?</span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> </span></span><span class="s12" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s12" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">You speak, you raise your hand,</span></span><span class="s12" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">you touch my mind and call my name,</span></span><span class="s12" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">"Turn to the Lord your God again."</span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"> </span></span><span class="s12" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s12" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">These days of your favour</span></span><span class="s12" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">leave a blessing as you pass</span></span><span class="s12" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">on me and all your people.</span></span><span class="s12" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">Turn to us, Lord God,</span></span><span class="s12" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;"><br></span></span><span class="s11" style="line-height: 19.200001px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px;">and we shall turn to you.</span></span></font></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; line-height: 1.68;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; line-height: 1.68;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><img id="id_7d87_1494_1e2d_5201" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1WR9sAnW-K65YUyjd__a8EOuLQNRgD9Ku" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br></span><br><br><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03514373576085534439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297656946642698729.post-66215495857763151682024-01-28T17:05:00.001-08:002024-01-28T17:07:43.501-08:00My Sunday <img id="id_c886_64c7_761d_dbe2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1B3EwOex6oIsW-BYLPMGU6d_QmCe0Y6sn" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><div><font face="Arial">I’m this week writing a session for our local preachers and worship leaders on leading worship in a rural context. Today I’ve done three services in villages and I’ve been to an installation of a lay ecumenical canon in the cathedral. Four services in a day is a bit mad. It’s a good job I only work one day a week! </font></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_1d16_ae04_73e7_8fe4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/11nZgXQ92AS9VlEX5JrcXX9GlC9e4iGdt" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Arial">Service number one was in Kirkby Malzeard. The chapel building closed at the end of October 2022 and for a year now once a month we’ve been worshipping in the lady chapel of the c of e in the village. Our members on other Sundays are at different churches, Grewelthorpe, Harrogate Road and Dallowgill but decided to try and keep some Methodist presence in Kirkby with a monthly service and a bi monthly coffee time. </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">There were five of us today. The lady chapel was freezing and it is always very dark so difficult to read anything. We will see whether we can sustain a monthly service. With a small number of possible people who will come when we hit holidays or family commitments there are few of us. One thing I’ve learnt about rural ministry is you need to try things. And review them! I spotted this notice in the church porch today: there are now many examples of one church offering hospitality to another. I suggest we need to share resources in the future far more.</font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_8683_e6eb_c3db_ccb4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/15ZQDIGNrl1mhPXJR-PcKefjCYg0pOCul" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Arial">Service number two today was at Dallowgill. Dallowgill is my smallest church and four years ago when we came to visit the circuit, I wasn’t shown it because they were convinced it wouldn’t be here. Today there were twelve of us there for a covenant service. Dallowgill now has a community of people who want an afternoon service as they are farmers with work to do in a morning. The congregation are a mixture of locals and those who travel a distance to be with us. We are doing okay. There’s just a question about governance for the future. I want to bring them and my other small chapel at Sawley together as one society on two sites. This will make both places stronger. Sadly there’s suspicion that I might be closing them (which is rubbish) and they want to keep their money! Sometimes rural churches need to be flexible but they can be stubborn. Change? Why? </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_f4b4_7594_454_dff6" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1GdORmh9HF4jm54xPRLEeq1fwairs1sHs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Arial">I was in a hurry to get to the cathedral at 3.30. I learnt a long time ago never to hurry in a rural setting! Sheep don’t hurry…</font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_a289_912e_1480_3845" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1jlXga7rAK1ti9aq8YsX62aBm0q3N4pgG" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Arial">And then you meet the school coach coming at you and then in front of you Doris and Evelyn decide to have a chat in the middle of the road!!!</font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_3a0_6fdb_9957_79b2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1wqwugyxD5rgKervL9mLsifXHtNokXonv" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Arial">I got to the cathedral about fifteen minutes into Evensong. Today one of our Methodist folk Meg Munn, the former MP for Sheffield Heeley and a minister in Tony Blair’s government was installed as a lay ecumenical canon of the cathedral. </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_8f0f_1f88_7f06_46df" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/12HNSPzLAhwb0Rs_t1iWSskX9f6X5iWVM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Arial">There were twenty Methodists present to support Meg. It’s good that ecumenical relations with the cathedral are developing. It was hugely encouraging to have Bishop John Pritchard tell me the other night the Dean told him Canon Claire and I are moving ecumenical relations on. I love living in a cathedral city. The place oozes peace for me. Today was a lovely occasion apart from the woman who bumped into me afterwards and my coffee went all down me. So I needed a change of shirt before service four! </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_90f8_43e9_fa97_e623" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1c10wHdSJV0fSw2GpMEW9HatmsxHFaF5R" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Arial">Service four tonight was at High Ellington, another of our remote rural chapels. It’s largely run by a farming family but has recently had new people join it. There were seven of us there tonight. There were nearly only six! At 6.28 someone was told “lock the door, we are all here.” I said “no you aren’t” as my wife was about to be left out in the cold. </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">The rural chapel has in places lost any expectation anyone will join them they do not know. I once had a chapel which put out six chairs for six people and didn’t know what to do when a seventh person showed up! </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">I was really glad tonight to use their new lectern. Isn’t it fab? We had a good time. It’s very rural. Before they locked the door Rachel turned to Robert and said “you gonna set them traps?” </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_dbe7_eb9b_eea6_9f1f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1Ja4OyoIs8QZNP-d74N7Tqqv9XGs-U00c" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Arial">A long but fulfilling day. The rural minister will do three services on a Sunday. That’s my norm here. And when you get home there’s always a face which says “why have you been gone so long?” </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">Rural worship leading to small numbers isn’t easy, but for me it brings joy and fulfilment. Even if by Sunday night I’m absolutely done in! </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_f8fe_a119_91e8_67c2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1o5YbVwG0sNuuIMiDmloEFxnEtXUov79v" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br><br></font></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03514373576085534439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297656946642698729.post-68618820003403715622024-01-12T13:48:00.001-08:002024-01-12T14:21:13.264-08:00Partnership in Manchester<img id="id_51ba_a21b_e536_6c8f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYSM4YZG7Yy4gQP3xFF9DEz8nj5bUxEUMNbpZMeBbZh_9HW3TOpoOxNQiiqH5QVT96rIjp0dXzMzhro3bYEbOEuidsr2GA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br> <div><font face="Arial">It’s rather scary to note that in September it will be thirty years since I arrived in Manchester to train for ministry. Thirty years!! I have to say Manchester changed my life. I loved back then its vibrancy and positivity and fun. When I come back, it always feels like coming home. </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">Today I was back in the city to see what the Methodist Central Hall in Oldham Street does ecumenically. I’m going on a Churches Together training event next month for new ecumenical officers and you have to do a context visit first. So I was glad Ian Rutherford invited me to come today to see what happens in Central Hall and flows out of it. </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_ccbf_948a_b2d0_8ad9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYSPcMbTiMeUZOefjaJGK5xUiCRN2QpDzyZZGiNiSq8xWs6Ldoc5dFMF3WpZ7b36ybSqTBAFLlTorDzYXm1dXe2RxZzV" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Arial">Ian suggested I arrive in time for a 12pm prayer meeting. Since the beginning of January people have gathered every weekday to pray for an hour. The hour today was amazing. There were 50 to 60 people gathered from all over Greater Manchester of various traditions and ages. I sat with some students from the Metropolitan Uni. The prayer meeting wasn’t what I expected! We prayed out loud together but separately. So there was a cacophony of noise in the chapel. Deacon Jenny who led the hour quoted the verse of the hymn which says “the voice of prayer is never silent.” </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">We had a time of praise. I loved that Andy Fishburne was there. He was in the World Wide Message Tribe when I lived in the city. He prayed “Jesus you are brilliant!” A lady behind me kept clapping Jesus. Some voices were loud, others were silent. We had a period of silence listening to God, a time to pray that hidden treasures in us might be used, and a time to pray for different parts of the city and light candles and put them on a map to remember </font><span style="font-family: Arial;">different communities. I placed a candle on Mossley, my first appointment.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_43e1_1e95_650e_1582" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYRE9d3D0USlqbG3usW9JvI0cfr4SsgL8QIRgbPJW1d4QFDtk3wG3uYiEp2fJ_XT-99CDIp-XrLQCTba3ZwMEYIeCdPjSg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Arial">Several things struck me about the prayer meeting. Church wasn’t mentioned in the hour only that we might need revival! And —- most of us didn’t know each other but there was a power about being there to do something. There was also a confidence that God might be doing something and a joy to be in his presence. Also unlike some prayer meetings in this style there was a desire to pray together to pray for transformation and wellbeing in the city. One man kept praying out loud “eradicate poverty, eradicate poverty.” </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">At the end we clapped God. But it didn’t feel sickly or trite. It was a genuine privilege to be amongst these people. It was a positive expression of unity in diversity. I only get three or four at a prayer meeting!! There were several there for the first time. I wonder how they got to know about it. What also impressed me was I didn’t feel a stranger in the room. I don’t do crowds and I don’t find mingling with new people easy, but this was great. I ended up praying in a style I’m not usually comfortable with! What happened there?</font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_2c72_9b8a_53fe_5cf" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYQOxgf_0zA9bkTgc0pbR5BR5rnwVm-DGItQQrRvpjHi1qF6iuRpYDNxq2Q3gn1PqTDGVYXa93xudH6WWzPAip7KJyrizA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Arial">After lunch, Ian showed me round the vast building that is Central Hall. It’s now used by various church groups, not just a Methodist congregation and is home to a refugee group and has a cafe run by ex offenders. There was a vibrancy about as we passed various groups using the building. </font></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Arial">Ian then told me about a shared commitment to social justice in the city. He’s involved in various projects bringing hope and recovery out of trauma for people working in partnership with other agencies like the cathedral and Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Manchester, who sees the faith communities contribution to the what does the city need question as the city’s conscience. I was very impressed by Ian’s commitment to work with partners to seek the common good and his gentle yet determined leadership bringing the Gospel and its liberation with others where it is needed most. </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_f8e9_b67a_5b5c_ae98" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYRfAxXoB01cXb2JVuYcN1Bu3WxIJo6Oy0kbss8d-9luxKJgASVWFTrx9dqQ-HcvRyx3NS-EVdknSOwGBTs5NjgjU5JzMA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Arial">It felt as we chatted this afternoon we’d known each other for ages and we only met today. What really made me feel hopeful is that while our contexts are very different, the same emphasis in ministry is developing in my context just as it is in Manchester. </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">Yesterday, the building stronger communities lady from the new North Yorkshire Council called a meeting of possible stakeholders to form a community partnership in Ripon. Present were several councillors, a representative from Ripon Together, Ripon Bid, Ripon Community House and me. What’s great is that the council want a faith representative on the group and I have to say I was welcomed and my views were respected and listened to. Ian and I reflected that things have changed and where the Church is prepared to engage with the issues people face today and ask the questions people want answering, rather than the questions we think need answering, then there can be good engagement with others. I rather like Andy Burnham’s phrase that we are the conscience of a community.</font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">Manchester has always had a vibrant pulling together spirit. The cotton mills of old “cottonopolis” were places, while hard to work in, which formed strong bonds of friendship; the Peterloo massacre was an event where people rose up together against injustice, I was in the city when the IRA bomb went off. The city was rocked for a time but it rose again, resilient. The post box above wasn’t destroyed. It’s a sign together we cannot be defeated. Ian shared he has there when the bomb went off at the Arianda Grande concert in the Arena. For a while there was a flashback to that IRA bomb. But people stood together, including faith groups. </font><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Even walking round the city tonight there felt a sense of pride and togetherness that this is our city and we share it together and together we will work for it’s good. Isn’t it brilliant the Church is part of that? </span></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_2cc2_3940_92c9_5b62" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYQWmwfGy1-Z8HrCIQdYIjQVEM4hjV46C00VrgoLktT9UC9_nKpPX2ZCiL2V60upBfspLWxnfCNI3MhgQ3J0BHmssl2JXw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br></div><div><br></div><font face="Arial">It was lovely after I left Central Hall to go into St Ann’s Church. I used to use it a lot as a peaceful place to receive. Then it was lovely to mooch round Waterstones on Deansgate “the largest bookshop in the North.” I was very good. I only bought one book on the Ramsay Macdonald first ever Labour government 100 years ago and how together those involved made a difference. It was then lovely to have dinner in Annie’s which is my favourite place to eat in the city. It used to be owned by Fiz off Coronation Street. I’ve no idea if she’s involved now. It was lovely to walk through the old Corn Exchange now full of up market eateries. What community would have been in there in its day? </font><div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_b9ee_58aa_ed13_d33b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYRHK8KheN1LwNNL5H6phu4pHHhb6bZ_h87vd2-Sw8rhOMZXElu-FlZU_Ymzme6MELE5awU963m9GARgoWvbHuq7bRY7yg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Arial">I guess today has been about the opportunities proper trusting partnership can bring. Churches are struggling. We cannot do all we want to do now because we don’t have the resources. Maybe we are being called to join with others who share the same desire as us to make things better and we throw the Jesus answer into the mix. We need each other. Before we left each other and we prayed for each other’s ministry (how fab was that?) we reminded each other of Wesley’s sermon on the Catholic spirit: “if your heart is with my heart, give me your hand.” </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">We need each other. I have gifts to give you that you don’t have. You have gifts to give me that I don’t have. Together we travel on. Mind you, there is a limit how much we tolerate people. I need a break from the worse for wear ladies on this train from Leeds to Harrogate who are shouting “we have pizza, we have pizza!”</font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_b338_e8b5_bf93_2275" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYSTXs2mx2Siw6vphKzzypNnUs8CvODo3DjHt7Il7jvH1menikvUTIwVQomJ891BVWOjkQ6UBiV8Excf_wQvQFbB4yq-PQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03514373576085534439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297656946642698729.post-77070053523351222822024-01-06T17:44:00.001-08:002024-01-06T17:44:48.064-08:00January 6 - The Epiphany: a Christmas ending <font size="4" face="Trebuchet MS"><img id="id_eec0_8d89_ff45_44eb" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYTtpcR6Zu4W8pNCIwNm-IXpcOhiOdSb-DgQFeAI2Bz65xWtymZPZfYqcv9MwTyCpjH6BpEkANcBdgVWQhVV5GVTG6Lmig" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br> </font><div><p class="s5" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 7px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font size="4" face="Trebuchet MS"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">This was the moment when Before</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><br></span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Turned into After, and the future's</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><br></span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Uninvented timekeepers presented arms.</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><br></span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><br></span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">This was the moment when nothing</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><br></span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Happened. Only dull peace</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><br></span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Sprawled boringly over the earth.</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><br></span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><br></span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">This was the moment when even energetic Romans</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><br></span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Could find nothing better to do</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><br></span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Than counting heads in remote provinces.</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><br></span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><br></span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">And this was the moment</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><br></span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">When a few farm workers and three</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><br></span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Members of an obscure Persian sect</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><br></span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Walked haphazard by starlight straight</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><br></span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Into the kingdom of heaven.</span></span></font></p><p class="s6" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font size="4" face="Trebuchet MS"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Th</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">e </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">story</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> we remember on </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">the feast of Epiphany completes </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">the story of the birth of </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Christ with</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> the arrival of </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">travellers</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> from the east. They are called magi, wise men, magicians, or even kings, and the traditions that have spun off of them</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">has</span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> resulted in much speculation about their mysterious identities. In an attempt to nail down the story, legend ventured that there must have </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">been three, </span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">one for each of the named gifts, and some even went so far as to give them names and cultural identities. But whether they were practitioners of magic, priests of royal courts, or astrologer and scholars, it is their actions that give them their role in the story. They were willing to follow a star.</span></span></font></p><p class="s6" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font size="4" face="Trebuchet MS">Long before telescopes and computers, people named the stars and charted their long journeys through the heavens. These early stargazers noticed patterns and consistency in their movements. Perhaps we can imagine they felt the stars were part of a greater story, and that the stars had the power to influence events on earth.</font></span></span></p><p class="s8" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font size="4" face="Trebuchet MS">Early books of the Bible testify to the power of stars in the life of ancient people. Job mentions three constellations: the Bear, Pleiades, and Orion. Childless Abram goes out at night and hears a promise from God that he will have many children, as numerous as the stars. Stars are said to “Sing together” and “shout for joy” in the Book of Job, and Psalm 147 tells us God names all the stars and determines their number. Clearly, the stars held meaning for the ancient people of God.</font></span></span></p><p class="s8" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><font size="4" face="Trebuchet MS"><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">So at Epiphany</span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">, we see wise men coming from the east, following a star.</span></span></font></p><p class="s9" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font size="4" face="Trebuchet MS">Perhaps the wise men got hooked on studying the stars when they were kids. One night they were looking and saw a star unlike any they had ever seen. We don’t know how but they identified the location of the star as being over Israel. They did some research and somehow determined the star was announcing the birth of the King of the Jews.</font></span></span></p><p class="s9" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><font size="4" face="Trebuchet MS"> </font></span></p><p class="s9" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font size="4" face="Trebuchet MS"><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">What they did next was fascinating! They packed up to find the King. We know they were well-to-do by the gifts they took with them. It took them awhile to get to there, certainly many months. When they got to Israel they did the logical thing and went to the capital city. That’s where they expected he had been born. But they were wrong. They asked around and found out the Bible prophesied the King would be born in Bethlehem</span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">. </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">They headed there.</span></span></font></p><p class="s9" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><font size="4" face="Trebuchet MS"> </font></span></p><p class="s9" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font size="4" face="Trebuchet MS"><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">As they left Jerusalem they were thrilled to see the star again! This time it led them right to Jesus. They found him in a house and worshiped him, giving him the expensive gifts they brought. As they headed home they were warned in a dream not to tell King Herod where they found the King. They obeyed and went home without telling him.</span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">.</span></span></font></p><p class="s9" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><font size="4" face="Trebuchet MS"> </font></span></p><p class="s8" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font size="4" face="Trebuchet MS">There are dozens of theories on where the wise men originated and how they knew so much about stars; the Greek word used in Matthew’s gospel is Magi, a group of learned scholars who advised kings by interpreting dreams and astrology. While much about the wise men is unclear, what is clear is that these men are not Judeans, but Gentiles. </font></span></span></p><p class="s8" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font size="4" face="Trebuchet MS">They are bearing witness to a cosmic event of astronomical proportions: the birth of a baby—though nobody seems to know exactly where he is.</font></span></span></p><p class="s8" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font size="4" face="Trebuchet MS">We can imagine their shock when they discover that Herod is clueless about where this baby was located. Surely, King Herod would know if a king were born in his kingdom. It is in this detail that we can see how foreign these wise men are; they are seemingly naïve, unaware of the dangerous politics of Judea and unaware of how different this new king will be from other kings. They are simply seeking the king whom the star announced.</font></span></span></p><p class="s8" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 1.8;"><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font size="4" face="Trebuchet MS">They follow the star until it stops over the place where Jesus was. It’s so simple. While it may seem mysterious and strange to us to follow a star this way, it is not strange for them. It is simply how they understand the world. It is simply how they found Jesus.</font></span></span></p><p class="s6" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font size="4" face="Trebuchet MS"><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">This is a story of journey and discovery that teaches us a lot about what it means to search for God in the midst of our own life experiences. Commentator William Arnold lays it out in this way: First, these wise people had been studying. They knew their history. They hadn’t merely stumbled onto this momentous event. They had searched their own past and their sacred texts, and the result of their study was a readiness, or at least a willingness, to </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">recognise</span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">the sign when it appeared. Second, these scholarly folk did not keep their noses in the books all the time. They also were keen observers of the world around them. . . . Third, they were willing to seek confirmation of what they had learned and seen. They moved, put their feet . . . in motion to follow this sign. They took a chance on being proven wrong – or right! Fourth, they were willing to ask for directions along the way, even if they were wrong in their </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">choice of who they asked. </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Fifth, having found the confirmation of their convictions . . . they responded with all the gratitude they could muster. Sixth . . . they still remained vigilant and attentive – open to further visions and insight – and thus they were responsive to their dream-delivered warning to go home by another road. </span></span></font></p><p class="s6" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font size="4" face="Trebuchet MS"><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">The magi provide a powerful illustration of what the journey of faith, and the journey of life, can look like when we focus our intentions and attention in the right places. Willingness, observing, action, seeking guidance, responding with gratitude, and continued openness; these sound almost like a list of new year’s resolutions of ways to be more faithful. The magi help give us tools that can help us find our own stars to follow towards the epiphanies God has in store for us in the coming year.</span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"></span></span></font></p><p class="s6" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font size="4" face="Trebuchet MS"><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Which brings us to our covenant prayer on the first Sunday of 2024. </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">We make our promises looking up to </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">the possibilities that the grace of God might lead us to. We journey in faith believing God is worth following. We begin the year looking up.</span></span></font></p><p class="s6" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font size="4" face="Trebuchet MS"><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">One of the permanent sculptures in the grounds of Houghton Hall in West Norfolk is by the American artist James Turrell. It is a simple square structure on stilts, accessed by a gently ascending path winding right round it to an open door. And there, unbidden by anything except instinct, a hush falls on even</span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">the most </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">talkative of people</span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">. There is nothing inside the room. But also, somehow, immense promise and possibility. The wooden seat running around its four walls </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">invites you </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">to sit and lean back. And </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">you</span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> notice for the first time the enormous square opening above which leaves</span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> you</span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> completely exposed - to the turning of day and night</span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">, </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">to the weather, and to something powerful which stirs in </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">you </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">as </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">you</span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> look up and through it.</span></span></font></p><p class="s6" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font size="4" face="Trebuchet MS"><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Turrell’s construction forces </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">you</span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> to focus on the sky and, drenched with the wonder of that sky, and quieted by the requirement to pay it complete attention, </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">you</span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> find </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">yourself</span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> in sacred space. </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">You</span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> are in an observatory but also in a chapel. The similarities between prayer and star-gazing are strong. </span></span></font></p><p class="s6" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font size="4" face="Trebuchet MS">Both require us to stop and fall silent, to abandon ourselves to watching and waiting.</font></span></span></p><p class="s6" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font size="4" face="Trebuchet MS"><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">We know so little about Matthew’s mysterious magi but their unswerving focus cannot be doubted. Their openness both to God and to scanning the skies leads to their obedient following of the sign of their times: a difficult journey follows, a dangerous encounter with a despot, and then, homeward</span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">bound, a last-minute change of direction. But within all that, what a discovery!</span></span></font></p><p class="s6" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font size="4" face="Trebuchet MS"><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">It is not always easy to follow a star. As the year turns in this fractured world, we would be wise men and women to try to read the signs of our times in the context of prayer, of watching and waiting upon God. Our current lostness and longing will lead to new discoveries, new responsibilities. Where will we be led this year? What will be our Epiphany?</span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"></span></span></font></p><p class="s10" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 18px; line-height: 21.6px;"><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><font size="4" face="Trebuchet MS">Maybe the question that faced Herod is the one that faces us: how will you react to the child who has come to bridge the gap between the Divine and the human? </font></span></span></p><p class="s10" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 18px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font size="4" face="Trebuchet MS"><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">If </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">we recognise that Jesus is God’s outrageous gift of generosity that changes lives, then we can begin to move from the restrictive fear that Herod felt to the liberating joy that the Magi experienced as the star led them to the place where they could meet God. If we accept that Jesus is the bridge of hope and redemption we can move from despair to hope, from emptiness to fulfilment and from darkness to light. </span></span></font></p><p class="s10" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 18px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font size="4" face="Trebuchet MS"><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Jesus, Word made flesh, the physical presence of God, takes us from the reality of the incarnation to the unfolding realisation of who and what God is and does as we</span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> celebrate </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Epiphany. Without God’s inspiration and engagement, humanity would have remained stuck in a place far from hope and far from heaven.</span></span></font></p><p class="s10" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 18px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font size="4" face="Trebuchet MS"><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">God’s gift to the world was his taking flesh, being born, </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">we</span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> need to accept that gift.</span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> That’s the best way to begin a New Year. </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">We renew our covenant. We journey</span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> in faith. “Those who follow the Creator of the stars often find themselves in the midst of an Epiphany, called to follow stars that may at first seem beyond their reach.” We need to heed the example of these wise men. For them Jesus was worth not just the gold, frankincense and myrrh, not just travelling the 1400 mile round trip, not just going back to their own country another way, they were willing to risk everything to find him, accept him then be changed by him.</span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"></span></span></font></p><p class="s10" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 18px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font size="4" face="Trebuchet MS"><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Whoever you </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">are, wherever</span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> your star is, </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">don’t</span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">lose</span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">sight. Don’t </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">lose</span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> hope. </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Keep on with your journey. </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Follow the star. Be excited </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">this year that there are new things to be discovered. </span></span><span class="s7" style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 25.200001px;">Every day. </span></span></font></p><p class="s10" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 18px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font size="4" face="Trebuchet MS">Thank you for reading these reflections as we’ve journeyed through Advent and through Christmas. I’ve been glad to know people have enjoyed them. I’ll do another series in Lent. </font></p><p class="s10" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 18px; line-height: 21.6px;"><font size="4" face="Trebuchet MS"><img id="id_fa68_6ca1_ce03_b20c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYQ9yjJAJofEdkZAbrnjt-17e1jN2HlbqWpBKIK_1VRhaf1_FH1UUnofCjT5hCMDkpqI7DW1YBIr81tWS8DW__80axGW" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></font></p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03514373576085534439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297656946642698729.post-57459100036180846452024-01-05T17:22:00.001-08:002024-01-05T17:22:25.373-08:00January 5 - Thank you for coming <img id="id_b0c2_f8c9_7a53_ea" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYRU7NkB8W1PWC266YeKQMfxiSRSWXs8VqSGAf3gSxa0qe4syS4jxXJylHnQNqaTHxS741PoIglCzwjHoWksIrwnfeu3" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br> <div><font face="Arial">It was rather fun this morning to sit with someone lamenting the fact that ministers today don’t do any pastoral visiting. She then said “what are you doing for the rest of the day?” I said “pastoral visiting!”</font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">I’ve done three visits today. I wish I had time to do more. It will be 30 years in September since I landed in college. Our pastoral tutor told us we should do six visits in an afternoon! The world has changed since 1994 and the role of a minister has too, but it does not mean we don’t do any visiting at all! It was good today to be valued for simply showing up. </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">Part of the role of the minister surely is to be visible. I try to visit but I also try to be seen in shops and eateries and pubs and events in my communities as well as calling into church things. To turn up, to have come, is important. To be told “we never see you” means something is very wrong. </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">That Jesus came as one of us, showed his face, took time is one of the most wonderful bits of the Christmas story. John says literally that he pitched his tent amongst us. Let us be as surprised as Brenda was this afternoon to find me on her doorstep! It’s fun that people want me to do more visiting then when I do they say they can’t believe I’ve time to visit them!! </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">Let us on the eve of Epiphany and in this penultimate reflection of this series which has been going since Advent, echo the lovely verse with the words of Elizabeth greeting Mary, and let us use them to respond to the glory of Immanuel with us…</font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">“And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”</span></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_eaf1_4e96_698a_2a6a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYRbVsxih7ocOQMwmfTUcGO2wdk4l07IFuoSlLE88ludE58mASpoiFkIw-LNZA5wAWKRCXO8EaE0054Mm5ekhApK1a6j" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Arial"><br></font></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03514373576085534439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297656946642698729.post-13610800035580003602024-01-04T09:03:00.001-08:002024-01-04T09:03:24.437-08:00January 4 - Reconciliation <img id="id_dec1_5477_b23e_a6d0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYTnZ36VangGYEW2DBh0oyIUes8F4HDjTeg_mcROz6a7t-57HL_DNbzhONAl4YP0hYsJHcEs2VoCmHhs7q7gEgHTP5ajQw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br> <div><font face="Arial"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Can I still quote carols in January? In Hark the herald angels sing, Charles Wesley uses the phrase “peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.”</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">As we enter 2024, maybe reconciliation should be on our agenda. That God closed the gap between himself and humanity through incarnation is the miracle of Christmas. Our response to it should be to work for peace, rub along together and work hard to be respectful and celebrate where we can do things together even where we think differently. </span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial">The trouble is we live in a world where we don’t want to put things right or work at closer relationships. We easily blame or ignore those who don’t think like us or we think where is a breakdown in relationships it wasn’t anything to do with us. In a church long ago I had two married couples who used to fall out spectacularly. I’d regularly preach about the need for reconciliation. One couple over coffee would say to me “well done, they needed to hear that!” then ten minutes later the other couple would say to me “well done, they needed to hear that!” </font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial">We speak at Christmas about togetherness and cosiness then we do our best to be as far apart from others as possible and we cause hurt and misunderstanding so easily. We need to lament about our lack of commitment to live in harmony. It doesn’t mean always agreeing. It means living with respect. I’m glad that Ripon later in the month is doing the week of prayer for Christian Unity. The week will end with a joint service where the former Bishop of Oxford, John Pritchard will preach in our Methodist Church. We are getting closer as churches because actually co-operation and fellowship is far more important than matters of ecclesiology and doctrine. Maybe! I will one day break bread behind the altar of a c of e church!!! Or maybe I won’t! </font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial">Today I find this commentary I read earlier powerful, going back to the carol words:</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"><br></font></span></div><div><p style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1.571429em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(60, 61, 71); color: rgb(60, 61, 71); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial"> I began to think of how the message of Christmas has become so awfully distorted. Christ came to spread some good cheer among humankind. He came for the purpose of making everyone’s Christmas a bit brighter. He came to do some very nice things for some very nice people. He came to add a spiritual dimension to our Christmas celebrations. He came to put his imprimatur on what we already do to celebrate Christmas, so we can feel good about what we already do to celebrate Christmas. He came to make us feel better about ourselves.</font></p><p style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1.571429em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(60, 61, 71); color: rgb(60, 61, 71); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial">And we sing Christmas carols. We sing Wesley’s “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” And we come to that line, “God and sinners reconciled,” and it doesn’t even faze us. After all, we don’t actually need reconciliation. “Me and God, we get along just fine.” It doesn’t even register that the reason for Christmas was not that God might take our already pretty good lives and add a bit of religion to them, the way a cook adds a dash of salt or a bit of spice to an already pretty good dish to give it just a bit more flavor. And even when we talk about putting “Christ back into Christmas,” we are thinking of a Christmas that is already pretty good, and making it just a bit better.</font></p><p style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1.571429em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(60, 61, 71); color: rgb(60, 61, 71); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial">But that is not what Christmas is about. Rather:</font></p><blockquote style="border-width: 0px 0px 0px 5px; border-style: none none none solid; border-color: currentcolor currentcolor currentcolor rgb(38, 113, 114); border-image: none; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 1.571429em; vertical-align: baseline; quotes: "" ""; caret-color: rgb(60, 61, 71); color: rgb(60, 61, 71); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><p style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.571429em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><font face="Arial">Christ came to a rebellious people, to rescue them from their rebellious ways.</font></p><p style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.571429em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><font face="Arial">He came to a people who weren’t any smarter than the dumb animals in our live nativity scenes in order to make them wise.</font></p><p style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.571429em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><font face="Arial">He came to an unclean and unholy people, to purify them and make them holy.</font></p><p style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.571429em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><font face="Arial">He came to an idolatrous people, to get them to smash and throw away their idols.</font></p><p style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.571429em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><font face="Arial">He came to a people who were his enemies, so that he might make them his friends.</font></p><p style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.571429em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><font face="Arial">He came to a people who had rejected him, so that he might open their minds and hearts to submit to him and worship him, gladly and freely.</font></p><p style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.571429em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><font face="Arial">He came to a sinful people, so that he might die for them, and pronounce them forgiven.</font></p><p style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.571429em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><font face="Arial">He came to a people who were dead in their trespasses and sins, so that he might resurrect them, and they would live again.</font></p><p style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.571429em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><font face="Arial">He came to an already convicted and condemned people, so that he might not only grant them a stay of execution, but indeed, a full pardon.</font></p></blockquote><p style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1.571429em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(60, 61, 71); color: rgb(60, 61, 71); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial">In short, he did not come to do something nice for very some very nice people. He came to do something radical for some very bad people. He came so that we who were estranged from God, might be reconciled to God. “God and sinners reconciled!” That is the reason for Christ coming. That is the reason for the incarnation. That is the reason for Christmas.</font></p><blockquote style="border-width: 0px 0px 0px 5px; border-style: none none none solid; border-color: currentcolor currentcolor currentcolor rgb(38, 113, 114); border-image: none; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 1.571429em; vertical-align: baseline; quotes: "" ""; caret-color: rgb(60, 61, 71); color: rgb(60, 61, 71); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><p style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.571429em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><font face="Arial">For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. </font></p></blockquote></div><div><img id="id_4104_ba86_325_2d62" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYS9NySbZRcRbV3X3y9iQVliAaH-NvggmIfBa-75m6v9Vmc1jOl9oGYZd4zcny9mDY-90jvWEcfGcujs_6L5T67W_R5rYA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="UICTFontTextStyleBody"><span style="font-size: 17px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></font></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03514373576085534439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297656946642698729.post-26738949559756079832024-01-03T12:58:00.001-08:002024-01-03T13:33:25.492-08:00January 3 - Taking Time <img id="id_d75b_96f0_f8d_bd34" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYRPVV2WAtFxl1uK7WuJYCQkIU7iKsAn7zAxJefs8259rWHZn0IMlo-OAY838B76shkIzrcYQP_1mljcJqcmjjOASEasAQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Arial">Three days into a New Year, are we feeling overwhelmed? I met with Sarah, my colleague in Ripon this morning and we shared together how knackering Christmas is as ministers give out day after day after day after day, when you stop your body is bound to need time to recover. I’ve slept most days since Christmas! Then as a New Year dawns there’s all sorts of expectation that suddenly bombards you: what about that funeral next week, where’s your hymns for Sunday, what about those plan dates, when am I going to write that bible study for Monday? Then there’s personal stuff I need time to deal with. </font><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">I love that bit in the Christmas story where Mary, knackered from an awful journey, birth in a stable, strange visitations from shepherds and magi, and mentally shattered from it all, she takes time to treasure these things and ponder them in her heart.</font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">Maybe we need not to rush into the New Year with plans and busyness but instead take time to treasure the things God has given us and ponder where we are before taking decisions and setting any goals. What if we in every service or meeting had a time of silence to wait on God and ponder in prayer? That might allow God to set the agenda. We need to take time.</font></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Arial">Early into 2024, don’t be overwhelmed. Stop. Be still. Treasure what you have. Ponder. It isn’t selfish. It is vital. You can’t keep rushing about or have your head so full of demands you cannot function at all. Just saying! And talking</font><span style="font-family: Arial;"> to myself!!!! </span></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_8487_c41a_1274_71ee" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYTaopRi_Jn3N1NsemX2e9XO9NFQjbcw9x8UjvwUoisehthDjJpb4cMf3yOpKCUIXwY8sA_5vkxLDYEDkcKYZvyxsDAf" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><br><font face="Arial"><br></font><div><div><br></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03514373576085534439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297656946642698729.post-52569114913427394142024-01-02T14:53:00.001-08:002024-01-02T14:57:15.659-08:00January 2 - planning ahead <font face="Arial"><img id="id_894b_4e1f_2c69_1787" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYRDXDPrjBN5C-QgI1FpXzu661qkyFW5_qMO6T8wG6b7Tuj3dcfRNXHzPtytofCj2CBcCxo4gK0IDf4ZUEOH54Ze27RxLQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br> </font><div><font face="Arial">My Anglican colleague in the LEP we share laughed in an e mail reply as I asked him questions about April and he replied “you do plan a long way ahead!” Yes, on 2 January I’ve done all my plan dates for Lent, Holy Week, Easter and Pentecost! It’s only eleven and a bit months until Christmas :) </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">Some people are good at long term planning, others are content as long as they get through the day. Part of the Christian ethos is to have vision, to look far ahead, to think positively about the future. </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">We are on the edge of Epiphany. How long do you think those wise men who studied the stars took in planning their journey? They took time to consider the facts, tomorrow would be better than today, a star was worth following even if they didn’t know where it was going to lead them. </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">Many people will have returned to work this morning. In meetings there has probably been some goal setting and vision discernment going on. We plan but even our plans may not as we hope. But not to plan and just wallow is not the life of faith. We plan in expectation. I’ve learnt to say to Anglican colleagues who don’t understand Methodist plans, “let’s sort the whole year then it’s done!” </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">How confident are our plans? Maybe George Bernard Shaw had it right when he said “<span style="caret-color: rgb(16, 16, 16); color: rgb(16, 16, 16); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> You see things; and you say 'Why?' But I dream things that never were; and I say 'Why not?'</span></font></div><div><font face="Arial"><span style="caret-color: rgb(16, 16, 16); color: rgb(16, 16, 16); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><br></span></font></div><div><img id="id_7c87_79ea_2df2_826c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYQPJM3IrrpG58J1jK2jwOeQPgbBzetiT-EdbFjIRNLASbHdhBdXnJKJQ7kLxf3urNpE6WIoUdpMhpSP3hgwqm7ejbTJ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Arial"><span style="caret-color: rgb(16, 16, 16); color: rgb(16, 16, 16); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><br></span></font></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03514373576085534439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297656946642698729.post-88100451129377719732024-01-01T12:12:00.001-08:002024-01-01T14:17:53.011-08:00January 1 - Emerging into reality<img id="id_7c64_9cef_7fc3_5438" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYQmnvMs8Rgbnj0_5iaAsmwiBm1pg8mpPWhrgrncWUwF2K8ZTlV2aDaKtFeRjLHM5tuMGJIWR-qIa5gI5lBWPvgKX22RuQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Arial">How has the New Year begun for you? </font><div><br></div><div><font face="Arial">It was good to be with others in Ripon last night as we carried our candles from the cathedral to the market square. What struck me as we walked along Kirkgate was that as people’s candles blew out in the wind someone you didn’t know appeared to relight them.</font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">At the beginning of 2024, a lot of wishes sent say we should have a prosperous New Year. I’m uncomfortable with that. The prosperity Gospel will always ignore or damage the poor. Instead like the light bearers and sharers last night, we need a commitment to community. Urgently. </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">Breakfast tv this morning had a man talking about self improvement. At the beginning of the year there are those who will tell us we are too fat, too unproductive, too selfish, in fact we need changing! In the world today added to wars and rumours of wars is the scare of tsunami in Japan. </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">This year will also see elections in this country and in America. Both could be brutal dominated by nasty stories spread by the other side to make us see voting for someone might be foolish. No wonder the Archbishop of Canterbury in his New Year message today called for leaders to remember those they disagree with share a common humanity and we’ve forgotten decency. </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_e809_ed63_6e0b_e44a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYQzNPwEjCVjWQe9VTg0oGfKgc87Bs1quwVNW1UooX_6Rq0FcSC2vZtoPUS2-zq3V7IeipetqaOE6cBBiLhh77G8fFyh_Q" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Arial">Where’s the Christmas joy gone? Maybe we have to search for it. Maybe we have to let the fripperies go for another year. I was in the Spar getting a pint of milk. Even walking past tubs of chocolates and biscuits made me feel unwell. There comes a point when we’ve had enough. Walking into one of my churches just now Christmas is still up, but some of it is looking tired and notices are now very out of date. We walked out of the building after Christmas morning service and we’ve not been back in there since as there wasn’t a service there yesterday. </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">Maybe we have to look for Christmas joy in small ways, in quiet places, where people do share light to strangers and where we work together to defeat the darkness. Maybe we need a new commitment to seek God this year. Let’s not let the gloom and tiredness and negativity around us beat us. </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">John Wesley knew about New Year optimism. His world was as complicated as ours is. But he spoke with confidence into society the heralding of God’s Kingdom where it hadn’t been heralded before. He saw an optimism because of God’s grace which was, and is more powerful than wars and selfishness and this lack of decency out there today. </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">If you keep a diary, what have you written today on its first page? Slept. Washed up. Put washing on. Dinner. Bought some bits in the shops. Opened church for a craft group. Rain. That’s been my January 1! </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">Reflect then today that the age of 82 Wesley wrote in his journal, on Saturday 1 January 1785, this:</font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">“Whether this be the last or no, may it be the best year of my life!”</font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">There’s optimism in Christ! </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">Someone suggested the other day we take a jar at the beginning of the year and every time something good happens we write it on a piece of paper and put it in the jar. Then we read all the pieces of paper next New Year’s Eve, and we will see, despite everything, our blessings will outweigh our despondency. That’s not a bad idea. We will then see, as we sang in my last hymn yesterday that God is working his purpose out as year succeeds to year. </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">A happy and peaceful New Year then. May we pass the light to each other and be thankful it shines no matter how mad it is around us.</font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_4e08_dc3_995_c84f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYQ1DocdgQLfJ3zWsKSJ8GPJ4ePQ2oHxd3giwJK41KjHO2O24XalBqTdYo5TDjscfbqlcIfvF-DvrcStP-N7v55lXaLZHw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03514373576085534439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297656946642698729.post-48920501895478637402023-12-31T11:27:00.001-08:002023-12-31T11:27:13.172-08:00 December 31 - A New Year’s Eve Prayer <div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial"><img id="id_dad3_1f9c_2088_20a9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYReshADp3afpf9mVrsrWPA6La6NBemsAxW7c8Jov4ELVn_7RXix242MctTCm_IopdcsMx7eVHT1WI3CxgwfsJrw2oHwBA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br>So here we are on New Year’s Eve 2023. We await 2024 with hope but also with trepidation. Tonight the news is full of Russia and Ukraine and Israel and Gaza and now tension between the United States and Yemen. And man at war with man hears not…</font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">Tonight is either celebrated or dreaded or ignored. Some will go to bed as normal, others will watch Rick Astley and the fireworks from London, others will be at a party (Harpenden readers - how we miss those gatherings at John Farrow’s!) and others will be in church and gather at an event to herald midnight. We will be at the cathedral a bit later and then in the market square to see 2024 in as a city. Ripon does these big days well. </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">We had a lovely upbeat service at Snape chapel here this morning. We reflected on the light of Christ coming and us needing to follow it when 2024 gets bumpy. One of our preachers present said when we have a light in front of us we focus on it, we don’t look at the ground below. We keep our eyes on where the light is leading us out of the darkness. </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">There’s a very tongue in cheek website called Newsthump. Australia has already entered 2024. A headline says “Australians say 2024 is as rubbish.” We don’t know what lies ahead. We can only do our best. We stand tonight at the gate of another year. We put our hand into the hand of God. </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">I don’t like New Year resolutions. They put pressure on people and when we fail it does our mental health no good at all. So in wishing my readers a very happy and peaceful New Year, and a thank you for letting me know some of you read this stuff, I’ll leave you with the wonderful Nadia Bolz-Weber and her honest prayer for us all. Let’s be kind to ourselves. It’s not going to be an easy year. But we enter it with assurance we don’t enter it alone. </font></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64); color: rgb(64, 64, 64); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64); color: rgb(64, 64, 64); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial">A New Year’s Blessing for realists.</font></span></div><div><p style="line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial">As you enter this new year, as you pack away the Christmas decorations and get out your stretchy pants,</font></p><p style="line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial">as you face the onslaught of false promises offered you through new disciplines and elimination diets,</font></p><p style="line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial">as you grasp for control of yourself and your life and this chaotic world -</font></p><p style="line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial">May you remember that there is no resolution that, if kept, will make you more worthy of love.</font></p><p style="line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial">There is no resolution that, if kept, will make life less uncertain and allow you to control your aging parents and your teenage children and the way other people act. </font></p><p style="line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial">So this year (as every year),</font></p><p style="line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial">May you just skip the part where you resolve to be better do better and look better this time.</font></p><p style="line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial">Instead, may you give yourself the gift of really, really low expectations. Not out of resignation, but out of generosity.</font></p><p style="line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial">May you expect so little of yourself that you can be super proud of the smallest of accomplishments.</font></p><p style="line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial">May you expect so little of the people in your life that you actually notice and cherish every small, lovely thing about them.</font></p><p style="line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial">May you expect so little of the service industry that you notice more of what you do get and less of what you don't and then just tip really well anyhow.</font></p><p style="line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial">May you expect to get so little out of 2024 that you can celebrate every single thing it offers you, however small.</font></p><p style="line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial">Because you deserve joy and not disappointment</font><span style="font-family: Arial;">.</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 var(--size-20) 0; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><img id="id_c864_baec_5dab_7395" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYRClmmHAVbRYZ8qtYVflQoysBBrbSRoHMIcw7dXV8jZISX2Ajs4jK0gTtsOPmjcP29LmA45s67i3Z15iP8xXrHR7ztRIQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br></span></p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03514373576085534439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297656946642698729.post-57845547841290646312023-12-30T14:30:00.001-08:002023-12-30T14:30:49.926-08:00December 30 - tomorrow’s sermon!! <div><img id="id_8210_2eda_e7b1_c043" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYQ-zrz4YazLFB9RN1Yl6JPpulbCklUzwooTTGgheGKi0Fir1-kvyJxHQ0fhK9cWYgDCeVEsEOIXhRnfft1fzMNAyGJL" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "ADLaM Display";">When I was a child, I’d be a nightmare on the last day of a summer holiday. Back in the 1970’s you had one holiday away. We usually went to Bournemouth or Cromer or Clacton on Sea. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "ADLaM Display";"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "ADLaM Display";">One year we even went north of Watford Gap to the far-flung delights of Scarborough! On the last day when told to come off the beach, I’d run back onto it. Why? Because I didn’t want the holiday to end. Returning to normality – school and so on – needed to be put off for as long as possible. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "ADLaM Display";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "ADLaM Display";">I wish it could be Christmas every day. But isn’t Christmas over? I was in a Morrisons in Harrogate the other day. In your face as you enter the shop is a big sign. It says “Easter”! The girl behind the till asked me if I was still being festive. I said “your shop is full of Easter.” “Yes,” she said. “Christmas came down on Tuesday. It is Easter now!” “I’m a church vicar,” I said, “I need a break before I can think about Easter!” </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "ADLaM Display";"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "ADLaM Display";">One of the presenters on Radio 1 said the other day as they’d stopped playing Christmas songs, “thank goodness I don’t have to play Mariah, I’m sick of it.” In our homes Christmas is in a heap, stuff everywhere and bits of food to be used up. </span><span style="font-family: "ADLaM Display"; font-size: 14pt;">One of my friends asked “is it okay to have a mince pie for breakfast?” To which I replied, “I’ve just had one on my way to making breakfast. Is that okay?” </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "ADLaM Display";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "ADLaM Display";">For much of society Christmas is over. And like me on the beach, journeying from celebration to the reality of January and dark miserable wet days like yesterday isn’t attractive. We want the lightness and the hope and the fun and the escape from it all to last longer. But it doesn’t last. We’ve sung about peace on earth, goodwill to men but Russia is still bombing Ukraine and Israel is still bombing Gaza. We’ve sung about the little town of Bethlehem how still we see thee lie, when Bethlehem at the end of 2023 is anything but still. We’ve celebrated the light of the world, and it seems that light isn’t doing very much. You don’t hear me preach very often in this part of the Circuit, but regular hearers know I get inspiration from funny places. How about a sign on the toilet door in Holy Trinity church in Ripon? “Light not working. May be dark. Sorry.” That’s where people are. We support each other through a dark struggle, and we don’t know what to do. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "ADLaM Display";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "ADLaM Display";">I wish it could be Christmas every day. Well before you say dear God he’s a miserable preacher. Let’s hope it’s three years and four months until he comes again, let’s remember the Christmas Gospel. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Arise shine for your light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. In him was light and that light was the life of everyone. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness shall not put it out. I am the light of the world, whoever follows me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "ADLaM Display";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "ADLaM Display";">Friends, this is the Christmas season. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "ADLaM Display";">It lasts at least <span dir="ltr">until 6 January</span>, but you can stretch it out to <span dir="ltr">2 February</span> which is Candlemas. I never got that until I was the minister of an Anglican and Methodist LEP as I am now. Anglicans keep the crib out until Candlemas and they light the Christ candle until Candlemas. It is to remind us that Christmas truths equip us to do January and whatever a New Year brings. The light might not be working. It may be dark. Sorry. But there is a greater light. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "ADLaM Display";"> </span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px 0cm; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "ADLaM Display";">Today the lectionary leads us to two characters who see Christmas as a lasting gift, a light that will shine for ever. Mary and Joseph are in the Temple to do two things, obey two Jewish rites. <span style="color: rgb(38, 38, 38);">The first rite was for Mary, purification 40 days after the bleeding from the birth of a son. There’s a very exciting eight verses on it in the twelfth chapter of Leviticus if you’re bored this afternoon. Mary comes with the offering of a pair of doves or pigeons, as required for those who can't afford a sheep. The second rite was the presentation of Jesus as a firstborn son. </span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px 0cm; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "ADLaM Display"; color: rgb(38, 38, 38);">The text doesn't focus on the rituals that brought the family to the Temple. Instead they encounter older people, filled and led by the Spirit. As so often in Luke's Gospel, there is a pairing of a woman and a man: Luke's birth narratives also begin with an older couple, in Elizabeth and Zechariah. </span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px 0cm; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "ADLaM Display"; color: rgb(38, 38, 38);"><br></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px 0cm; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "ADLaM Display"; color: rgb(38, 38, 38);">Simeon's reaction reflects both personal and universal hopes. The Spirit enables him to see the promise of the Messiah for all peoples fulfilled in this baby now – long before Jesus has done anything. That also fulfils a personal revelation, that Simeon would see this. Here is light. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "ADLaM Display"; letter-spacing: 0.15pt;">Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace<span class="apple-converted-space">: according</span> to thy word. For mine eyes have seen<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>thy salvation, which thou hast prepared<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>before the face of all people. To be a light to lighten the Gentiles<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>and to be the glory of thy people Israel. Simeon had waited year after year for the moment of revelation. He found peace and deep joy at the end of his long life.</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px 0cm; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "ADLaM Display"; letter-spacing: 0.15pt;"><br></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px 0cm; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "ADLaM Display"; color: rgb(38, 38, 38);">Anna is also led by God to this baby. She also sees God's promises fulfilled and shares her excitement with others. Luke describes Anna as a prophet, as someone who speaks God’s truth not just about the future but about the present, God’s presence here among us</span><span style="color: rgb(38, 38, 38); font-family: "ADLaM Display"; font-size: 14pt;">. As an old woman, a widow, possibly with no children of her own, Anna would not have had much status in society. She may have spent all her time in the temple, but as a woman she would not have had much religious status either. And yet, it is to people like Anna that God makes himself known. Light not working. May be dark. Sorry. Here’s the Christmas that lasts shared to us by two very elderly people – light, peace, glory, contentment and excitement. We don’t know how many years more Simeon and Anna lived but we can imagine Christmas was with them every day. Life had changed. </span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px 0cm; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: rgb(38, 38, 38); font-family: "ADLaM Display"; font-size: 14pt;"><br></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px 0cm; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "ADLaM Display"; color: rgb(38, 38, 38);">I wish it could be Christmas every day. Well, it can be. Our diet needs to improve, we can’t party all year, we have things to get on with, but if Jesus the light is here then he is here forever. We can’t blow his light out. Remember one candle, one light is a protest saying we will not have it this way. </span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px 0cm; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "ADLaM Display"; color: rgb(38, 38, 38);"><br></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm 0cm 18pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "ADLaM Display"; color: rgb(38, 38, 38);">I don’t know what your numbers at services over Christmas were like. Allhallowgate had its highest number on Christmas Day for several years. People like Christmas, a sweet baby story, the comfort of carols. They might reflect later well nothing much has changed. As the sign says it might be dark. Sorry. Where’s the light and peace and goodwill?</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "ADLaM Display"; color: rgb(48, 48, 48);"> Christmas still has work to do in the world.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "ADLaM Display"; color: rgb(48, 48, 48);">This doesn’t mean that Christmas failed. Far from it. It means that what God was doing in Jesus was always meant to be the beginning of something, not the end. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "ADLaM Display"; color: rgb(48, 48, 48);"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "ADLaM Display"; color: rgb(48, 48, 48);">The New Testament and Christian writings from the first centuries have a clear expectation that the Christians will participate in, appropriate, or be absorbed into Jesus’ mission. Maybe we need a focus as churches in 2024. We join with him in incarnating the presence of God in the world. We join with him in calling oppressive authorities to account. We join with him in feeding the hungry and tending to the sick. We join with him in proclaiming good news, in freeing captives, in making peace — not the tentative ceasefires we call peace in our world, but God’s true peace of whole and healed relationships, which we call shalom. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm 0cm 18pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "ADLaM Display"; color: rgb(48, 48, 48);">This is the true work of Christmas. This is the life Christmas calls us to incarnate in the world, to offer to the world in and through our bodies. This is the Kingdom of God in action.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "ADLaM Display"; color: rgb(48, 48, 48);">The words in Scripture about light and the testimony of Simeon and Anna are worth reflecting on once more today as we enter into the brave, new world that Christmas inaugurates and we stand near another new year. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "ADLaM Display"; color: rgb(48, 48, 48);"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "ADLaM Display"; color: rgb(48, 48, 48);">I wish it could be Christmas everyday. Here’s how.. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm 0cm 18pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "ADLaM Display"; color: rgb(48, 48, 48);">I will end with some powerful words from the wonderful twentieth-century American theologian Howard Thurman:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm 0cm 18pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "ADLaM Display"; color: rgb(48, 48, 48);">When the song of the angels is stilled,<br>When the star in the sky is gone,<br>When the kings and princes are home,<br>When the shepherds are back with their flock,<br>The work of Christmas begins:<br>To find the lost,<br>To heal the broken,<br>To feed the hungry,<br>To release the prisoner,<br>To rebuild the nations,<br>To bring peace among brothers and sisters,<br>To make music in the heart.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm 0cm 18pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "ADLaM Display"; color: rgb(48, 48, 48);">Friends, continue to have a joyous Christmas and commit yourselves to live it in the New Year. Let’s transform the toilet door sign: The light is working. The darkness won’t last. Alleluia! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><img id="id_7b23_99ac_cf19_901c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYSlci07Uf58dFL22utYAWmGLFMF2cN6GJ8NJFPEipMD5-YvmeKaezmEowv5V7WKzn5upeu8VBoG5AR-2bUDpZ4XSUckoQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03514373576085534439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297656946642698729.post-83135375446607891932023-12-29T14:46:00.001-08:002023-12-29T14:46:51.797-08:00December 29 - Christmas as pastoral act <img id="id_386_a11d_73a9_35d4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYSQ_DZxkYo2weEKygCCMjF_vbto9U31vHh5JSMWLTlctFr4rLTVdZoTkMgc9ksG8bSa7qSRhvsN91jGkWPzytk78ZOtPg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br> <div><font face="Arial">I’ve been pondering what Immanuel means in these days after Christmas. The stories post Christmas are dark. The gospel writers throw in a relationship on the rocks, a tyrannical census, no room at the inn, an unhinged ruler (see yesterday’s blog), genocide, warnings, and the holy family as refugees. </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">Incarnation into the world isn’t a sweet story. The Christ child is born in poverty, in the cold. The Christ child causes others to be threatened and lash out. The Christ child causes the world to be unsettled for a while. The Christ child is forced to seek sanctuary in a foreign land as a toddler and doesn’t know when it will be safe to return. Incarnation is about dirt, rejection, revolution and an identification with the poor, outcast and refugee in the world. </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">The angel sings into the story. Peace on earth. </font></div><div><font face="Arial">Our carols get it right:</font></div><div><font face="Arial">Above its sad and lonely plains they bend their hovering wings…</font></div><div><font face="Arial">And…</font></div><div><font face="Arial">He laid his glory by, we wrapped him in our clay. </font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">There was a tongue in cheek article on News Thump today that Jesus arrived on our shores in a small boat. He was sent away. </font><span style="caret-color: rgb(40, 50, 50); color: rgb(40, 50, 50); font-family: Roboto, Arial, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">“I thought the innkeepers in Bethlehem were a pretty bigoted bunch, but you should have heard the so-called Christians patrolling the beach I arrived on.</span></div><p style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(40, 50, 50); color: rgb(40, 50, 50); font-family: Roboto, Arial, Tahoma, sans-serif;">“I opened my arms to receive them warmly, but they all told me to get back in the boat and go back to where I came from. They were really quite aggressive about it. Even Pontius Pilate didn’t accuse me of being in a grooming gang of terrorists.” </p><p style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(40, 50, 50); color: rgb(40, 50, 50); font-family: Roboto, Arial, Tahoma, sans-serif;">The good news of Jesus at Christmas is that he comes to quote Wesley again “contracted to a span.” One of us. One of us if we struggle. One of us if we face unknown journeys. One of us if we are unwanted. One of us if bombs drop on us because a ruler wants what he wants. One of us if we find ourselves on the move with no certainties. One of us if we have nowhere to lay our head. One of us if we are labelled not one of those we will accept. Maybe Jesus would have ended up in Rwanda.</p><p style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(40, 50, 50); color: rgb(40, 50, 50); font-family: Roboto, Arial, Tahoma, sans-serif;">The good news is that Jesus is for all who struggle. I wrote this pastoral note to my churches just before Christmas citing the image of Bethlehem that had just gone viral…</p><p style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(40, 50, 50); color: rgb(40, 50, 50); font-family: Roboto, Arial, Tahoma, sans-serif;"><img id="id_45da_a169_6b79_84ac" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYRBrSNjMEWH4vl98-V7P7nhQTLup_xgofYu1w6dupMJfpaSBxMgFoiGwS9JhTP19DEIUmTVB6vNs5hRVrpgo6u_aXKyDA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br></p><p style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(40, 50, 50); color: rgb(40, 50, 50); font-family: Roboto, Arial, Tahoma, sans-serif;">This image has just gone viral, it’s an artists impression of Christmas 2023 in Bethlehem. Christians in Bethlehem this Christmas are reminding the world where Jesus comes. He comes under the rubble. He comes with a different agenda. He comes to herald peace, mad as that sounds. The heart of Christmas is that peace is possible. Even when it’s absolute chaos.I know a lot of you have had a sad 2023 with loss and illness and uncertainty. For you Christmas though hard to do like the world does with its bonhomie and frills, can be a time God would give you his peace. Remember he comes into the heart of human experience, under the rubble of shatter hopes and uncertainty ahead. He comes also to turn mourning into dancing. That’s why Christmas carols were originally to be danced to! I just want on this Christmas Eve to wish you a peace filled Christmas and a hopeful 2024. I also want to say thank you to you for your commitment to our work together. All six of my communities as we find ourselves nearly half way through my fourth year with you, have huge potential. Like shepherds and magi we need to look up and see what’s going on. God is ahead of us. 2024 marks the 25th anniversary in June of my ordination. After 25 years and seven Circuits, I remain convinced our best work happens when we are prepared to listen to God, celebrate our gifts and be positive about what we are called to be. This has been a year where we’ve seen significant change, not least me handing over two churches to Sarah. That wasn’t planned this time last year! </p><p style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(40, 50, 50); color: rgb(40, 50, 50); font-family: Roboto, Arial, Tahoma, sans-serif;">Take time on this fifth day of Christmas to simply thank God he came in Jesus. He will never leave us. We are cared for - always. </p><p style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(40, 50, 50); color: rgb(40, 50, 50); font-family: Roboto, Arial, Tahoma, sans-serif;"><img id="id_919e_40b0_370c_42cb" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYST6cbFO6Uq1XM7ebpHNzbDbVHJq_pxP8lpVFoH2_sapIaOCP9PTejFQCOmpVvu9tjx4K3hdJM9I9eJ2t0s_hSKqvah" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></p><p style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(40, 50, 50); color: rgb(40, 50, 50); font-family: Roboto, Arial, Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br></p><p style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(40, 50, 50); color: rgb(40, 50, 50); font-family: Roboto, Arial, Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03514373576085534439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297656946642698729.post-69045444558945739792023-12-28T16:57:00.001-08:002023-12-28T16:57:38.722-08:00December 28 - the bit of Christmas we don’t want to talk about…<div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 14px; color: rgb(50, 54, 56); caret-color: rgb(50, 54, 56); letter-spacing: 0.34px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.34px;"><font face="Arial"><br></font></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 14px; color: rgb(50, 54, 56); caret-color: rgb(50, 54, 56); letter-spacing: 0.34px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial"><img id="id_e725_fb9c_676a_936f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYSbG6QAUxffIXd-h3NaUDkzbWhwDRvYV7xZ8fgCRLefs9kKqmb2MRnFrd6Xn662bwY0HGOTQQSRGQRh-MirwBCd1OFO9A" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.34px;"><br></span></font></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 14px; color: rgb(50, 54, 56); caret-color: rgb(50, 54, 56); letter-spacing: 0.34px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.34px;"><font face="Arial">If every memorable story needs a villain, the Christmas story certainly has one. His name is Herod or, if you wish, “Herod the Great.” Sure, Herod was a great builder, but here is a snapshot of his ethical “greatness”: he had three of his sons killed; one of his wives executed, along with her mother and grandfather; and he left instructions that, when he died, there would be a mass execution of Jewish elders so as to cause great mourning upon his own passing.</font></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 14px; color: rgb(50, 54, 56); caret-color: rgb(50, 54, 56); letter-spacing: 0.34px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial">That, at least, is what we know from Josephus. This first-century Jewish historian passed over one more murderous deed of Herod, either because it was unknown to him or because so “minor” a bloodbath hardly seemed to merit inclusion. We usually call it The Slaughter of the Holy Innocents or simply The Holy Innocents. The church traditionally remembers it today, December 28.</font></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 14px; color: rgb(50, 54, 56); caret-color: rgb(50, 54, 56); letter-spacing: 0.34px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial">Some time after the birth of Jesus, when the star-guided magi showed up in Jerusalem asking around for the one born as “king of the Jews,” Matthew tells us that Herod was ταράσσω This Greek verb can mean “troubled, agitated, vexed, terrified, disturbed.” Herod was indeed a “disturbed” man, in both senses of the word.</font></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 14px; color: rgb(50, 54, 56); caret-color: rgb(50, 54, 56); letter-spacing: 0.34px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Arial">He did what any other unscrupulous, power-hungry, furious and “disturbed” politician might have done: “he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under.” It’s horrific but not unusual. Rulers who are threatened get unhinged. </font><span style="font-family: Arial; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Jerome Murphy-O’Connor writes as follows about the threat of Herod and the flight into Egypt:</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: italic; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">…</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 14px; color: rgb(50, 54, 56); caret-color: rgb(50, 54, 56); letter-spacing: 0.34px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: italic; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">“ it would be extraordinary if Herod had not taken very seriously the prophecy of a warrior king who would come from Bethlehem (Micah 5:1) …</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: italic; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">An opponent could recruit forces much more easily if he claimed to be the promised Messiah from Bethlehem. As God’s Chosen One he was guaranteed success; he could not lose. It would be extremely naive to imagine that Herod’s secret police were not all over Bethlehem just waiting for someone to step out of line.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 14px; color: rgb(50, 54, 56); caret-color: rgb(50, 54, 56); letter-spacing: 0.34px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: italic; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Since Herod was prepared to execute his own sons on mere suspicion, one did not have to be a genius to realize that he would have no compunction about wiping out a whole village just to give himself peace of mind. … Given what everyone knew about Herod’s character and temperament, it would be incredible if those who were free to leave Bethlehem and seek safety outside Herod’s jurisdiction did not avail of the opportunity. Egypt was the traditional place of refuge for those in danger in Judea and it was not very far away. .</span><span style="font-family: Arial; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-style: italic;">.. </span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 14px; color: rgb(50, 54, 56); caret-color: rgb(50, 54, 56); letter-spacing: 0.34px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: Arial; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-style: italic;">Joseph’s skill as an artisan gave him mobility. He could find work anywhere. He was not tied to land as were the farmers and shepherds. There can be no doubt about the historicity of the flight into Egypt of Jesus and his family. In fact, I would be extremely surprised if they were the only ones to flee from Bethlehem.”</span><span style="font-family: Arial; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> (‘Jesus and Paul: Child Refugees’, in Vivian Boland OP, editor, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-style: italic;">Watchmen Raise Their Voices</span><span style="font-family: Arial; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">, Dublin 2006, pp.64-65) </span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 14px; color: rgb(50, 54, 56); caret-color: rgb(50, 54, 56); letter-spacing: 0.34px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: Arial; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">So why do we need to include this dark bit of Christmas? Because Jesus doesn’t come to a nice world. And if he is one with us, he is one with us in the darkness and his presence can unsettle those with a different agenda. </span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 14px; color: rgb(50, 54, 56); caret-color: rgb(50, 54, 56); letter-spacing: 0.34px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Today as we remember innocents we can’t not think of Gaza and children who are no more. And Rachel who still laments over them. Micky Youngson helpfully reflected on this on Radio 4 this morning. The link to listen to it is below. </span></font></p></div><div><font face="Arial" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001trzy?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001trzy?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile</a></font></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_11c9_849b_f296_3ed5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYRt2xh3Ao-Z5NiobGGG6vj1VZmL3k5ktdAJwTTkNus8U9jmCnyARwhl8Fe4U7-6c5V55DRZysWDrM7qMNmKoCxU-E4ehA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03514373576085534439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297656946642698729.post-2522835824324880592023-12-27T13:45:00.001-08:002023-12-27T13:45:31.842-08:00December 27 - Apparently it is Easter <img id="id_5850_d5f2_9c3f_f79" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYS-pkM1LFvPmLgJYBTTiIR8nn7FhlzwAkO_R4sYRG8DQztimKvNqN94_FkalSDKDW3VzE-XDhfJzf8YwVjGofhcsM7n" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 329px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br> <div><font face="Arial" size="4">Why can’t we do the twelve days of Christmas? I walked into a Morrisons Daily in Harrogate this afternoon and the first thing you see is a big sign saying “Easter.”</font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4">The lady behind the till asked me if I was still being festive. I told her the shop had Easter all over it.</font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4">“Christmas was all taken down on Tuesday,” she said. “It is now Easter!” </font></div><div><font size="4"><font face="Arial">“I’m a church vicar, I need a break before I do Easter!” I said. </font><span style="caret-color: rgb(20, 20, 20); color: rgb(20, 20, 20); font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Writing on Twitter, one shopper has shared an Easter Terry's chocolate orange and has written: "Don't worry folks! To make sure you don't miss the next big event, shops have started stocking Easter treats and goodies. Nice</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(20, 20, 20); color: rgb(20, 20, 20); font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> one @Morrisons. We were beginning to panic that you'd forgotten!"</span></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4"><font face="Arial">We </font><font color="#141414" face="Open Sans, sans-serif"><span style="caret-color: rgb(20, 20, 20); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">seem to need something to look forward to in life. We rush on to the next celebration or event. But isn’t there a danger we hurry away from the last thing with no time to savour it or think about it. My Gran used to you should masticate every mouthful of food 30 times to enjoy the flavour and goodness of the dinner. We love in a world that downs Macdonalds fries quickly as we’ve no time to stop. </span></font></font></div><div><font color="#141414" face="Open Sans, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="caret-color: rgb(20, 20, 20); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></font></div><div><font color="#141414" face="Open Sans, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="caret-color: rgb(20, 20, 20); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">In a week or so I will need to think about where I will be on Easter Sunday but the chocolate eggs can stay on the shelves for now. I’m still doing and resting after Christmas. Remember Mary pondered all these things and treasured them in her heart. She took time. And there were no creme eggs in the shops next day! </span></font></div><div><font color="#141414" face="Open Sans, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="caret-color: rgb(20, 20, 20); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></font></div><div><br></div><p id="amp-readmore-target" style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; color: rgb(20, 20, 20); line-height: 1.8; caret-color: rgb(20, 20, 20);"><img id="id_b2dd_246b_79d4_81c9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYQBxHFf6Fk1D3C9M1Mjyt9UO9fIkUq8oxmifAtG3u6vlLJ8WdZwXnTKnTvzZas0ihXwJbIpSy5xr_6tg5TMSUqKacCU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 344px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03514373576085534439noreply@blogger.com0